Empirical Analysis of the Impact of China-Europe Railway Express on Export Trade of Cities along the Route: From the Perspective of the Difference-in-Differences Method

The “Belt and Road” initiative has strengthened exchanges and cooperation between China and regions such as Central Asia, West Asia, and Europe, enhancing China’s level of openness to the outside world. The China-Europe Railway Express, as a key part of the initiative, has reinforced trade connections with countries along the route and spurred the growth of international logistics demand. The expansion of the express service and the improvement of routes and ports have had a positive and lasting impact on the export trade of related cities. This study utilizes empirical analysis to explore the impact of the China-Europe Railway Express on the export trade of cities where it operates. Through a difference-in-differences model, the study analyzes the changes in urban export trade before and after the opening of the express service. The results indicate that the opening of the express service significantly promotes urban exports, drives technological exchanges and employment, generates positive agglomeration and diffusion effects, and fosters the growth of urban exports and socio-economic development. Based on the aforementioned research findings, this study proposes targeted suggestions aimed at better leveraging the catalytic role of the China-Europe Railway Express to further stimulate the growth of export trade in cities where it operates.