China's 'Belt & Road' Initiative: 23 things you want to know

The first China-to-Britain freight train arrived in London on 18 January 2017 after a 18-day, 7,500-mile journey, making it the longest railway freight route in the world. Marking a milestone in China's push to build commercial links across Europe and Asia, the train brought in a cargo of small commodities including household items, clothes, fabrics, bags, and suitcases.The freight costs are half that of air cargo and cut two weeks off the journey time by sea, passing through Kazakhstan, Russia, Belarus, Poland, Germany, Belgium and France. Prime Minister Theresa May has said the relationship with China remains "golden" as she seeks to bring in billions of dollars in Chinese investment as Britain prepares to leave the European Union. The China-Madrid railway line has experienced success by transporting olive oil back to China.