new railway between China and Europe

For a long time Chinese manufactures have moved by sea to markets in Europe and America. Now a new rail route has been opened between an inland Chinese city (Chongqing) and Europe (Duisburg in Germany and soon Antwerp). The route goes through Kazakhstan, Russia, Belarus and Poland.

Very large numbers of Chinese people have moved from inland China to coastal regions to take work in factories making goods destined for Europe and America. The new railway might do something to counter this trend. The route is quicker and cheaper than sending goods by sea.