First goods train from UK to China to begin today, cover 7500 miles, 7 nations

The first goods train from UK to China is set to travel 7,500-miles, over a span of 17 days, starting today.

According to reports, the 30-coach carrier will start its journey from Essex, and pass through France, Belgium, Germany, Poland, Belarus, Russia and Kazakhstan, before reaching the wholesale market town on Yiwu in China's eastern province of Zhejiang on April 27.

The train is stocked with British goods including whiskey, soft drinks, vitamins and pharmaceuticals.

Part of China's One Belt, One Road programme, the train service is a means of reviving the early Silk Road trading routes with the West, common more than 2000 years ago.

With Britain preparing to leave the European Union, current Prime Minister Theresa May seeks to encourage Chinese investment in UK and boost the trade relations between the two nations.

In January 2017, the first freight service from China to UK commenced.

Former British Prime Minister David Cameron’s decision of making Britain the gateway for Chinese investment had earned some disapproval. He had also proposed making London the main international trading centre for offshore Yuan.