Middle East crisis turns China-Europe railway into supply chain security asset

Initially a logistical trial, the China-Europe railway network has evolved into an essential element of transcontinental connectivity, particularly in light of geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. The conflict between the US and Israel against Iran has transformed the railway from merely an alternative to sea and air transport into a vital security asset for supply chains. Over the last ten years, this network has expanded from occasional test runs to a comprehensive system connecting 235 cities in 26 European nations with over 120 cities in China. From 2020 to 2023, the annual trips of goods trains between China and Europe have doubled, exceeding 17,000, aided by customs agreements, standardized container tracking, and streamlined border processes.