Freight train X8020, which was loaded with 100 TEUs of computer sets, hardware, electric appliances, and groceries, departed from Yiwu West station on the morning of May 31, marking the 620th Yiwu-Xinjiang-Europe freight train service this year.

"Up until now this year, our companies' businesses involving exports through China-Europe freight trains have grown more than 180 percent compared with the same period last year, while our businesses involving freight train imports have soared more than 100 times," said Wang Bin, a manager at a Yiwu-based customs clearance service firm.

Wang added that machinery equipment, liquid crystal display panels, and other high-value-added products took up a significantly higher proportion among this year's exports.

Customs data shows that foreign trade conducted through Yiwu-Xinjiang-Europe freight train services from January to April rose 289.23 percent year-on-year to 14.95 billion yuan ($2.33 billion).

The exports were worth 10.98 billion yuan, up 185.87 percent year-on-year, while the imports were worth 3.97 billion yuan, an increase of 113 times over the previous year.