New rail line to Europe opens doors - as Xi sought in 2014

There's a new rail route to ship goods from Zhengzhou to Europe, building upon an earlier route - and encouragement from President Xi Jinping during a visit in 2014 to turn Henan province into a transportation and logistics hub that can serve the Belt and Road Initiative.

The Zhengzhou-Europe Block Train, which has had service to Hamburg, Germany, since 2013, now can transport goods to and from Munich, Germany. The Hamburg line generally serves Eastern Europe and Russia while the new line to Munich which launched service last month, serves Western Europe, officials said.

On May 10, 2014, Xi traveled to Zhengzhou's rail hub and spoke during his inspection tour of Henan province.