(Yicai Global) Nov. 18 -- A record number of freight trains bound for or coming from Europe have passed through Manzhouli in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China’s biggest land port of entry, so far this year as rail transport comes into favor during the Covid-19 pandemic, railway authorities said today.

Just over 30 percent more trains passed through Manzhouli on the border with Russia between Jan. 1 and Nov. 17, according to the Manzhouli Railway Station under the China Railway Harbin Group.

In total, the border town handled 3,073 trains over that period. There were 1,493 inbound trains, a nearly 50 percent year on year increase, carrying imported goods including timber, auto parts, cereals and mechanical equipment. And there were 1,580 outbound trains, a gain of 16.4 percent, loaded with goods such as electronics and garments.

"On average, we handled 100 more containers each day than last year," said Cui Tianliang, vice director of the freight workshop at Manzhouli Station.

Rail transport has been less affected by the pandemic compared to sea and air traffic, making it a preferred choice for cross-border e-commerce parcels and traders who need to transport bulk orders.

At the moment, there are 52 China-Europe train routes that pass through Manzhouli destined for 13 European countries including the Netherlands, Germany and Poland.

Editors: Dou Shicong, Kim Taylor