The first UK to China export train, laden with containers of British goods, is seen during the official ceremony to mark its departure from the DP World London Gateway, Stanford-le-Hope, Britain April 10, 2017. [Photo by Angus McNeice/chinadaily.com.cn]

After passing through the Channel Tunnel into France, the locomotive will traverse Belgium, Germany, Poland, Belarus, Russia and Kazakhstan before crossing into China.

Container operator OneTwoThree Logistics is overseeing the transportation and booking of the cargo train, in conjunction with Yiwu Timex Industrial Investments Co, which is running the service with China Railway Container.

Greg Hands, British minister of state in the Department for International Trade, said the new line showsthe global demand for UK goods.

"This new rail link with China is another boost for global Britain, following the ancient Silk Road trade route to carry British products around the world," he said.

The train is returning to Yiwu three months after arriving in the UK. Robert Soames, business ambassador to the British prime minister in the construction and infrastructure sector, said he expects a weekly or daily service will be established within the next decade.

"The train is a fantastic alternative to air and sea freight, as air is more expensive and sea takes longer," Soames said, "It's significant not just for UK-China trade but for global trade."