Rail Freight From China to Russia Spikes, While Fewer Trains Head to EU

The number of freight trains traveling from China to Russia increased dramatically in the first half of 2022, industry data show, as Western sanctions prompted Russia to trade more with its Asian neighbor.

Trains to Russia may have accounted for over 60% of the total Chinese freight trains heading to European countries in the first half, up from 45% last year, said Yang Jie, an official with state-backed industry group China Communications and Transportation of Association.