A Sino-German economic forum this week connected to the development of a new rail connection between the countries was part of the process of creating opportunities for cultural and educational exchanges and promoting business and trade in countries and regions along the Belt and Road Initiative.

The Blue Container on the New Silk Road – Belt and Road Initiative International Cultural and Economic Exchange Project took place in Dusseldorf, Germany. Long Yuxiang, executive chairman of the China International Cultural Communication Center, Guo Jian, chairman of the Blue Container Project organizing committee, and DCKD German-Chinese Cultural Exchange Centre for Art and Design were among those taking part.

The project, which has the participation of 11 nations along the "New Silk Road" and the cooperation of many government and civil institutions in those countries, is the largest-scale Belt and Road Initiative cultural exchange project in Europe.

After four years of energetic and intense preparatory work, including close communication and collaboration with the 11 participating nations, the first Blue Container Train will soon travel from Duisburg to Beijing – a journey symbolizing political, cultural, and economic connectivity along the region covered by the initiative.

A departure ceremony is scheduled to be held on March 29.

The project will use the railway lines of the Silk Road Economic Belt as a route across Europe and Asia. Because China and Germany are situated at the two ends of the New Silk Road, the origin and destination stations of the Blue Container Train will be Beijing and Duisburg.

The Blue Container Train will travel through 11 nations and 27 regions and cities along the area covered by the Belt and Road Initiative, facilitating connections between economic institutions and enterprises, as well as cultural organizations.