ZHENGZHOU — The China-Europe freight train has opened a regular postal service linking Zhengzhou, a transport hub in Central China’s Henan province, and Poland’s Malaszewicze.

A train carrying seven tonnes of parcels departed from Zhengzhou Putian Container Center Station on Nov 20, marking the start of the service.

The new rail service is expected to reduce the cost of mailing, expand the scope of delivery and shorten transportation time, according to the route operator Zhengzhou International Hub Development and Construction Co.

The China-Europe rail service is a significant part of the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative.

The number of China-Europe freight trains reached a new high in 2017, surpassing the past six years combined, with more than 3,000 cargo trains traveling on 57 lines. The number of such train trips is expected to reach 4,000 in 2018, according to China Railway Corporation.

Zhengzhou has become an international transport hub with regular freight train services to over 100 cities in Europe and Central Asia.

At present, the China-Europe freight train departs from Zhengzhou to Europe and returns eight times a week.