China Europe Train Creates Opportunities Germany "the Belt and Road" Initiative Association Hopes to Deepen Europe China Cooperation Association | One Belt | Opportunity Germany“
China EU Train Creates Opportunities Germany "the Belt and Road" Initiative Association Hopes to Deepen Europe China Cooperation
China news agency, Berlin, September 11: China Europe train creates opportunities, Germany "the Belt and Road" Initiative Association hopes to deepen Europe China cooperation
China News Agency reporter Ma Xiuxiu
"The railway transportation in the middle of Europe is showing a sustained growth trend, and there is still considerable expansion and development potential." In a recent interview with the reporter of China News Service, Hans von Herdorf, president of the German "the Belt and Road" Initiative Association, commented on the development of "China Europe Train" under the "the Belt and Road" framework.
China Europe Express is an international railway intermodal transport train for containers between China and Europe as well as countries jointly building the "the Belt and Road". In March 2011, the first China Europe freight train from Chongqing, China to Duisburg, Germany was officially opened for operation. Up to now, 86 China Europe freight train lines with a speed of 120 kilometers per hour have been laid out in China, and the transportation service network basically covers the entire Eurasian continent.
Nowadays, as important nodes of the China Europe freight train, cities such as Duisburg and Hamburg in Germany have become important hubs connecting China Germany and China Europe for economic and trade cooperation. Among them, Duisburg is an important node city for China Europe freight trains with the widest route, the highest number of trips, and the highest volume and value of goods; In Germany's trade with China, 50% of import and export goods are transshipped through Hamburg Port.
In Herdorf's view, there is still considerable development potential for railway transportation between Europe and the Middle East, which can be further explored through standardization of transportation technology, cost reduction, and reduction of transportation time.
In fact, the China Europe Express is just a microcosm of the development of jointly building the "the Belt and Road". From point to point, the German "the Belt and Road" Initiative Association has always called for the establishment of new economy companies in countries and regions jointly building the "the Belt and Road". "This is a huge development opportunity for the small and medium-sized enterprises of the Association, and even for the entire German industry." Herdorf said.
It is reported that its members come from all walks of life in the German economic community, aiming to integrate European standards into the "the Belt and Road" construction through coordination, and ultimately safeguard the interests of German SMEs in jointly building the "the Belt and Road" country.
Heldof said frankly that the relevant cooperation between the Association and Kazakhstan, a country jointly building the "the Belt and Road", is gratifying. Not only the German industry, but also some small and medium-sized enterprises have also received a lot of attention and praise. At present, the association is collaborating with a university in Berlin and a university in China to prepare for the establishment of a new dual curriculum on cross-cultural business development; In addition, an internationally renowned artist collection painting tour with the theme of "People Along the Silk Road" is also planned.
"Logistics is the basis for the successful implementation of the 'the Belt and Road' initiative." Heldof told reporters that the Association is preparing related activities with Wilhelm Port, the only real deep-water port in Germany, and will closely coordinate with the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Economy, different associations and universities, such as Jacob University in Bremen, to develop new projects.
Looking back at the development, Herdorf said frankly that for his association, the "the Belt and Road" initiative is a "historic opportunity" to deepen cooperation and benefit sharing globally. Unfortunately, some major Western countries see this initiative as a threat to their own hegemonic claims.
He pointed out that Germany and the European economic community do not want to miss development opportunities, but the EU lacks independence and autonomy in external economic policies. "We have been calling for the development of our own collaborative and strategic project directory, and the establishment of a partnership with China on an equal basis."
He believed that the great achievements made in Piraeus, Greece, and Duisburg, Germany under the framework of the "the Belt and Road" should be highlighted as successful cooperation cases. Effective communication between Germany, China, and Europe is crucial in deepening cooperation.
