The number of "Qilu" China-Europe freight trains that departed from Jinan, the capital of Shandong province, for Europe and Central Asia saw a steady increase in 2021, local authorities reported.

The "Qilu" China-Europe freight trains recorded a total of 764 trips last year, up 42 percent year-on-year, ranking first in Shandong.

The rapid increase is due to the city's efforts in expanding international logistics and improving the business environment of its ports.

In 2021, Jinan opened three China-Europe freight train routes, which increased the total to 12, serving 46 cities in 19 countries.

Last year, the city launched the "freight train + cross border e-commerce" business model, providing an international logistics channel for the coordinated development of the Yellow River and the Yangtze River basins.

The city also opened cold chain trains, benefiting the imports and exports of agriculture, animal husbandry, and fresh produce industries in Shandong.

The rapid development of China-Europe freight trains in Jinan has contributed to the huge growth of the city's foreign trade. In the first 11 months of last year, Jinan's import and export value hit 174.12 billion yuan ($27.41 billion), up 37.3 percent year-on-year.