A China-Europe freight train departs from Yiwu in East China's Zhejiang province on July 29 for Madrid, Spain. [Photo/Zhejiang Daily]

The X8020 China-Europe freight train, the 10,000th China-Europe freight train to run this year, departed from the Yiwuxi Railway Station for Madrid, Spain, on July 29.

Driving a China-Europe freight train is akin to a relay race, according to Huang Wei, a chief driver for the China-Europe freight "I am responsible for both the first and last legs of the China-Europe freight trains," he said.

Huang has been driving trains for 27 years. And even with the historic 10,000th run of the China-Europe freight train, he shows no signs of slowing down.

"The increasing volume of goods being shipped from Yiwu to various parts of the world via the China-Europe freight train signifies the improving quality of Chinese products," Huang remarked.

What was once merely a job for him has now become a source of immense pride and honor, as he has witnessed a continuous flow of goods departing the country by rail.

"When I retire, I want to visit the places where the China-Europe freight train goes, following its trail, to witness the vastness of the world and the strength of our motherland," Huang said.