CHONGQING - Freight trains between Southwest China's Chongqing municipality and Europe have made a total of 2,000 trips since the service was launched in 2011, local authorities said Thursday.

Chongqing was among the first Chinese cities connected to Europe through the China-Europe rail routes.

Since the beginning of this year, more than 400 Europe-bound freight trains have passed through the city.

The China-Europe rail service is considered a significant part of the Belt and Road Initiative. It is expected to boost trade between China and Europe, China's largest trading partner.

It is estimated that transporting goods via the China-Europe railway costs one-fifth of the expense of air freight and takes one-third of the time of shipping.

As of 2017, the Europe-bound freight trains have made a total of 6,235 trips on 57 routes.