First UK freight train chugs off to China along new Silk Road

Chinese President Xi Jinping’s vision of a new Silk Road took a step closer to reality today as the first freight train chugged off down the tracks from London laden with goods for China.

Packed with drinks, vitamins, medicines and baby products, the train departed Monday from Barking in London, for a 7,500 mile, three-week journey to China through France, Belgium, Germany, Poland, Belarus, Russia and Kazakhstan.

British Trade Minister Greg Hands announced: “This new rail link with China is another boost for global Britain, following the ancient Silk Road trade route to carry British products around the world,” report Reuters.

The goods train arrived in London last month at the start of a regular service to cut transportation time and freight costs between UK-China.