A China-Europe train carrying 100 standard containers of China-made products is unveiled on March 9, 2023, ready to depart Yiwu, a major small commodities hub in east China's Zhejiang Province, for Madrid, Spain, marking the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries. [Photo/VCG]

Economic and trade ties between China and countries along the Belt and Road (B&R) have grown significantly over the past decade, a commerce official said on March 2, 2023.

China's trade in goods with B&R countries doubled from 1.04 trillion U.S. dollars in 2013 to 2.07 trillion U.S. dollars in 2022, with an average annual growth rate of 8%, Chen Chunjiang, assistant minister of commerce, said at a press conference.