A freight train heading to Lyons of France sets off from Wujiashan Railway Center in Wuhan, capital of central China's Hubei Province, April 6, 2016. The train, which is loaded with mechanical, electronic and chemical products, marks the opening of the Wuhan-Lyons freight train. The train will travel 16 days and run 11,300 kilometers before arriving at Lyons. [Photo/Xinhua]

WUHAN - A direct freight train linking Wuhan in central China and Lyons in France began operation on Wednesday.

The train, loaded with mechanical, electronic and chemical products, will exit China through Alataw Pass in Xinjiang, the westmost Chinese region, and pass through Kazakhstan, Russia, Belarus, Poland and Germany before reaching its destination.

It will take 16 days to complete the 11,300-kilometer journey, slashing the usual 50 to 60 days to transport from Wuhan to France by sea.

Automobile products, wine and agricultural products made in France are expected to be imported to China via the train.

Catering to the Belt and Road Initiative, the train is expected to further promote China's cooperation with Eurasian countries.

Several Chinese cities including Chongqing, Wuhan, Zhengzhou, Changsha and Shenyang have rail freight services to Europe.