Research on the Impact of the Opening of the China-Europe Freight Train on the Internationalization of Chinese Enterprises

Jie Liu; Yirui Wang

doi:10.54691/sp14b336

Research on the Impact of the Opening of the China-Europe Freight Train on the Internationalization of Chinese Enterprises

Jie Liu, Yirui Wang

Frontiers in Sustainable Development, (2025), Vol.5, No.9, pp.128-138

Published: September 24, 2025

DOI: 10.54691/sp14b336

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Abstract

Basedon the data of Chinese listed companies from 2000 to 2022, this paper systematically investigates the impact effect and mechanism of the opening of China-Europe trains on the internationalization of enterprises by using the multi-period double difference method (DID) and Heckman selection model, taking 2007-2019 as the main sample, and making robust expansion from 2000 to 2022. The results show that the opening of the China-Europe Express has significantly promoted the internationalization process of enterprises along the route, increased the probability of foreign direct investment by 18.7%, and increased the proportion of sales in overseas markets by an average of 23.5%. The mechanism analysis shows that the China-Europe freight train mainly promotes the internationalization of enterprises by reducing logistics costs, expanding market scope and optimizing supply chain layout. Heterogeneity analysis shows that the China-Europe Express plays a more significant role in promoting the internationalization of enterprises, small and medium-sized enterprises and manufacturing enterprises in inland areas. This study provides micro evidence for the economic effects of infrastructure construction under the Belt and Road Initiative, and also provides a new perspective for enterprise internationalization strategy formulation.

Keywords: China-Europe Freight Train; Enterprise Internationalization; Belt and Road; Logistics Cost.

APA Citation: Jie Liu, Yirui Wang (2025). Research on the Impact of the Opening of the China-Europe Freight Train on the Internationalization of Chinese Enterprises. Frontiers in Sustainable Development, 5(9), 128-138. https://doi.org/10.54691/sp14b336

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