THE WORLD’S first China to Britain freight train has set off loaded with millions of socks – as part of its drive to develop trade and investment ties with Europe.

The 7,500-mile journey by a China Railway Corporation train will passes through seven countries in order to reach London in just 18 days.

The world’s first China to UK freight train will set off from Beijing on Sunday.

The route service from China to the UK: The service will pass through seven countries before arriving in London.

It set off from Yiwu railway station in Zhejiang Province, China, on Sunday and is stuffed with £4million worth of goods including socks and suitcases.

The service will pass through Kazakhstan, Russia, Belarus, Poland, Germany, Belgium and France before arriving at Barking Rail Freight Terminal in East London, which is directly connected to the High Speed 1 rail line to the European mainland.

China Railway already runs services between China and other European cities, including Madrid and Hamburg.

It will arrive in Barking, London after 18 days.

The train is part of an initiative by Chinese leader Xi Jinping pictured with PM Theresa May to improve trade with China and Europe.

London will become the fifteenth European city to join what the Chinese government calls the New Silk Route.

It is part of Chinese leader Xi Jinping’s ‘One Belt, One Road’ strategy designed to improve trade and investment between China and Europe.

Jamie Banks of the Barking and Dagenham Chamber of Commerce told the Barking and Dagenham Post that the news hit him like a “bolt from the blue”.

He added: “I couldn’t believe when I first heard it. It’s really, really interesting, it will put Barking on the map and generate more business in Barking and Dagenham.”

Yiwu in Zhejiang Province, China, is known for producing train carried goods such as socks household items, garments, cloth, bags and suitcases.

The Chinese government is keen to boost its economy in the face of slowing export and economic growth.

Yiwu West Railway Station: The China-Europe container trains have become a major transportation channel of the international logistics industry.

Under the ‘One Belt, One Road’ strategy, there are currently 39 routes linking 16 Chinese cities to 12 European cities.

It is hoped that the new service will improve China-Britain trade ties and strengthen connectivity with western Europe.

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