Chinese online shopping giant Alibaba is taking to the new Silk Road with a search for warehouse locations along the route of the recently launched China to UK rail link.

The retailer is understood to have approached property developers across the continent who have buildings in locations which are close to the new train line, which follows the historic Silk Road route.

The first UK to China train left Britain last week, travelling along a route which the Government hopes will galvanise trade links.

The 16-day, 7,456 mile journey passes through China, Kazakhstan, Russia, Belarus, Poland, Germany, Belgium and France before crossing under the Channel and arriving in the east end of London in Barking. Travelling by rail to China - the world’s second biggest economy - is cheaper than sending freight by air and faster than voyage by ship.

Alibaba is hoping to take advantage of the new route by positioning its stock and delivery hubs along the line in order to faster bring its products into Europe.