A freight train heading to Lyons of France has set off from Wujiashan Railway Center in Wuhan, capital of central China’s Hubei province.

A freight train heading to Lyons of France has set off from Wujiashan Railway Center in Wuhan, capital of central China's Hubei Province.

The train, loaded with mechanical, electronic and chemical products, will pass through Kazakhstan, Russia, Belarus, Poland and Germany before reaching its destination. The train will travel 16 days and more than 11,000 kilometers before arriving at Lyons.

Catering to the Belt and Road Initiative, the train is expected to further promote China’s cooperation with Eurasian countries. An official from the Wuhan transportation department said the trainline, alongside the existing sea route will promote economic ties between China and Europe.

"After the route comes into operation, it will form an economic circle with the sea route, linking China and Europe,” said Yang Huajun, deputy director of Wuhan Transportation Department.