Freight train X8022, which was loaded with 100 TEUs of hardware, electric appliances, and groceries, departed from Yiwu West Station on the afternoon of June 16, marking the 1,000th Yiwu-Xinjiang-Europe freight train journey this year.

The number of such trains in Yiwu last year did not surpass this mark until October.

Customs data shows that foreign trade conducted via the Yiwu-Xinjiang-Europe freight train from January to May rose 260.2 percent year-on-year to 18.554 billion yuan ($2.87 billion).

Exports were valued at 13.765 billion yuan, up 169.9 percent year-on-year, while imports were valued at 4.789 billion yuan, 92.9 times more than the previous year.

"Over the first half of last year, the frequency of China-Europe freight trains was reduced due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the surge in prices for international maritime transport this year has prompted many businesses to turn to railway transport due to its more reasonable price,"said Li Qiuran, assistant manager at YXE Trading Service Group.

China-Europe freight train services have for a long time transported much more exports than imports. However, this trade imbalance has been significantly reduced this year.

According to Luo Jianyuan, executive vice general manager at Central Zhejiang International Logistics Development Co, as of June 16, a total of 56,950 TEUs of cargo had been exported by 688 Europe-bound trains in Yiwu this year, up 124.9 percent year-on-year, while a total of 26,032 TEUs of cargo had been imported by 315 return trains, 83.7 times more than the previous year.