CX Briefing: China Opens New Railway to Europe Amid Tariff Threat

A rundown of the news making headlines in and around China:

E-commerce express: China has opened a new rail line devoted to delivering e-commerce goods to Europe from the country’s southern economic hub. The first shipment of items like 3D printers and gaming accessories — valued at over 40 million yuan ($5.5 million) — is set to arrive in Budapest, Hungary, in 15 days after departure. China’s customs agency said the new line from the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area will simplify the logistics of moving goods across the breadth of Asia and lower costs. The opening comes as China seeks to boost trade with Europe in the wake of the U.S. tariff hikes on Chinese goods. China’s trade with Europe grew 1.4% year-on-year in the first quarter to 1.3 trillion yuan.