Many shipping companies have pulled their vessels from the Suez Canal route as Houthi rebels in Yemen continue to fire at cargo ships. Some exporters are now using the overland rail route between China and Europe, with enquiries doubling since the Red Sea attacks began.

China’s railway investment in the first quarter hit its highest level since 2013 amid government efforts to boost the economy and expand infrastructure in Western border regions that are of ever-increasing security and economic importance.