Photo taken on April 21, 2016, shows Chinese and French officials pose for a group photo in front of a freight train from Wuhan, China, upon its arrival for the first time at the freight railway station in Saint-Priest, outside Lyon, south-eastern France. A direct freight train linking Wuhan in central China and Lyon in France began operation on April 6. The train, loaded with mechanical, electronic and chemical products, exited China through Alataw Pass in Xinjiang, and pass through Kazakhstan, Russia, Belarus, Poland and Germany before reaching its destination. It took 15 days to complete the 11,300-kilometer journey, slashing the usual 50 to 60 days to transport from Wuhan to France by sea. Automobile products, wine and agricultural products made in France are expected to be imported to China via the train. Catering to the Belt and Road Initiative, the train is expected to further promote China's cooperation with Eurasian countries. Several Chinese cities including Chongqing, Wuhan, Zhengzhou, Changsha and Shenyang have rail freight services to Europe. (Photo: Xinhua/Zheng Bin)
