The first China-Europe freight train from North China's Shanxi province to Spain arrived at the Abronigal Freight Railway Station in Madrid on Oct 16. 

Departing from the Zhongding Logistics Park on Sept 16, the train traveled 12,000 kilometers via six countries, namely Kazakhstan, Russia, Belarus, Poland, Germany, and France. Its cargo included canned products, machinery components, and train wheels, with an export value of 12 million yuan ($1.64 million). 

The Shanxi-based international logistics service provider Huayuan International Land Port Group has been promoting the coverage of China-Europe freight trains in the province and optimizing logistics costs in recent years. 

So far, the group has developed 15 regular international transportation routes starting from six logistics parks in the province and passing through five land ports in China. These routes connect more than 40 major cities in 16 countries, forming a comprehensive international logistics service system. 

The launch of the China-Europe freight train from Shanxi to Madrid flags a new milestone in Shanxi's international logistics system, and shows how the province is moving proactively to support the development of the Belt and Road Initiative.