Chinese New Year traffic peaks, but freight flows remain stable

27.01.2023

Preparations for the Spring Festival (Chinese New Year) in China are in full swing. The festive period that will peak on Sunday, 22 January, is traditionally the busiest transport period in China. This year, even more, since more passengers will take on trains to travel back home after the relaxation of the Chinese government’s Covid-19 policy. However, despite the rush on the railway network, China Railways reassures that freight traffic will not be affected.

The Chinese state news agency Xinhua informs that this year’s passenger rail traffic will be unprecedented. While quoting the Chinese ministry of transport, the outlet underlined that «the total number of passenger trips for the year’s travel rush will reach 2,1 billion, almost twice as much as last year».

Cargo flows unhindered

Experience from past years shows that during the Chinese Spring Festival, when large parts of the Chinese population decide to travel, passenger services might occupy most of the railway network’s capacity. However, this year this is not the case. Increased demand for Covid-19, festival, and energy supplies, as well as food-related products, meant that China Railways could not afford less cargo on rail.

«Unlike the previous Spring Festival, when transport was characterised by more passenger trips and less cargo volume, transportation demand for specific cargo types was on the rise this year. Currently, all is going well, major traffic arteries and hubs are running smoothly, and key logistics indicators keep improving,» noted the Chinese vice minister of transport, Xu Chengguang, to Xinhua.

As a matter of fact, the arrival of the first inbound train from Kazakhstan in Xi’an proves the commitment of China Railways to keep rail freight running without slowing down. The train that arrived at the International Port of Xi’an on Friday, 13 January, was loaded with 1,300 tonnes of flour destined for use during the festive period.

Analytics on topic
Report
03.08.2021
Report
03.08.2021
Transport and environment report 2020: Train or plane?
Traveling by plane, train or automobile: the most environmentally sound choice may not always be clear. The report assesses the value of travel by train and plane. Rail travel is the best and most sensible mode of travel, apart from walking or cycling.
Source: European Environment Agency (EEA)
Report
31.07.2019
Report
31.07.2019
Impact of Russian Embargo on Trade Flows Structure from European Union to Asian Countries
Analysis of international trade statistics shows that different groups of the European Union (EU) member countries reacted differently to a ban on imports of certain types of food products (hereinafter referred to as «sanctioned goods») by Russia in August 2014, which also implies a ban on transit traffic.