The China-Europe freight train for cross-border e-commerce waits to depart from Zhengzhou, capital of central China's Henan Province, March 2, 2019. The train, named "Cainiao", left Zhengzhou for Liege of Belgium on Saturday. (Xinhua/Li An)

ZHENGZHOU, March 2 (Xinhua) -- China added a new route to its China-Europe freight train service, as a freight train made its maiden trip from Zhengzhou for Liege in Belgium on Saturday.

The service exclusive for cross-border e-commerce is the first of its kind departing from the capital of central China's Henan Province.

According to Zhengzhou International Hub Development and Construction Co. Ltd., it is the first freight line in the country to operate under customs surveillance code "9610" for cross-border e-commerce.

The "9610" surveillance code, added by General Administration of Customs in February 2014, allows e-commerce retailers to deliver goods separately and declare all imported and exported goods collectively.

The new service is expected to help solve problems related to delays in cargo traffic and logistics tracking, according to the route operator.

China-Europe freight trains made 6,363 trips in 2018, surging 73 percent from 2017, connecting 59 cities in China with 49 cities in 15 European countries.