中欧班列：“钢铁驼队”跑出消费升级“加速度”

Core Insights - The China-Europe Railway Express has become a vital link for international trade, facilitating the export of Chinese goods and the import of high-quality European products, thus serving as a "golden channel" for connecting markets [1][2][3] Group 1: Operational Performance - As of August 26, the China-Europe Railway Express has operated 450 trains this year, marking a historical high for the same period, with over 47,000 TEUs transported, reflecting a year-on-year increase of 10,500 TEUs, or 28.8% [1] - The "East Corridor" of the China-Europe Railway Express saw over 2,000 trains in the first five months of 2025, accounting for 26.3% of the national total, with return trains making up 31.9% [1] - Cumulatively, over 110,000 trains have been operated, with a total cargo value exceeding $450 billion, and the range of transported goods has expanded to over 53 categories and more than 50,000 types, with high-value items like automotive parts and machinery increasingly dominating the cargo mix [1] Group 2: Consumer Impact - The efficiency of the China-Europe Railway Express benefits ordinary consumers by providing imported goods such as German milk, French wine, and Italian coffee at competitive prices, breaking the stereotype of high-priced products at train stations [2] - The establishment of a global supply chain network with 11 regular routes covering over 30 countries and 130 cities has enabled low-cost and efficient delivery of goods to consumers [2] Group 3: Economic Transformation - The China-Europe Railway Express is reshaping regional economic structures, with cities like Xi'an and Zhengzhou leveraging the railway to create "hub economies" that translate imported goods into tangible benefits for local residents [3] - The railway has evolved from a mere transportation channel to an "economic corridor," allowing Chinese consumers to access higher-quality products at lower prices and enabling Chinese enterprises to engage more effectively in global division of labor [3] - The initiative aligns with the Belt and Road Initiative, transforming it from a vision into reality, and fostering new expectations for improved living standards among the populace [3]