On September 14 this year, the Meizhou-Longchuan section of the Longyen-Longchuan high-speed railway was officially put into operation, bringing the length of railway lines in China to over 160,000 km. Of these, more than 46,000 km are high-speed, and according to this indicator, the country ranks first in the world, writes ”Radio China”.
From 21,000 km in 1949 to 52,000 km in 1978, from 73,000 km in 2003 to 98,000 km in 2012, and then over 160,000 km in 2024, China’s railways have marked impressively development.
Since 2012, investment in China’s railway construction has continued to increase, and the scale and quality of the railway network, especially the high-speed railway, have seen a significant jump. During this period, a total of 66,000 km of railway lines, including 38,000 km of high-speed railways, were built and put into operation, and their business mileage increased by 64.2% and 392.2%, respectively.
The Fuxin series trains run at a speed of 350 km per hour, making China the only country in the world to realize the commercial operation of the high-quality railway at such a speed. Over the vast territory of the country, the most modern railway and the most developed high-speed rail network in the world are rapidly expanding. Currently, 80% of the main high-speed rail corridors in China have been completed and are in operation.
Currently, China’s railway network covers 99% of cities with a population of over 200 thousand people, and a total of 145 counties are connected to it; high-speed railway lines reach 96% of cities with a population of over 500 thousand people, they are already connected to 19 large urban clusters in the country.
“The overall level of China’s railway infrastructure ranks among the best in the world, with the foundation and conditions for moving to a higher level of modernization,” said Liu Zhengfan, chairman of the board of directors of China State Railway Group. According to him, the operational mileage of the national railways will reach 165 thousand km by 2025, of which 50 thousand km will be high-speed.
Liu Dawei, director of the Network Security Division of the Science, Technology and Informatization Directorate of the China State Railway Group, explains that the overall technical level of China’s railways is currently among the most advanced in the world, such as high-speed, such as construction technology , maintaining and operating lines at high altitudes, at low temperatures and for heavy loads are at a leading world level, intelligent technologies in high-speed rail transport are also receiving serious development, establishing an international standard.
Fuxin series trains have more than 40 thousand parts and components, and of the 254 important standards used in them, 84% are Chinese. The overall design and key technologies are independently researched and developed, with full intellectual property rights.
Transport occupies an increasingly important place in the socio-economic development of the country. China’s railways, which have entered a new stage of development, have enabled more and more regions to shorten the travel time between them, giving strong energy to the high-quality development of the economy and society.
Fan Hua, director of the Transport Economics Research Center at the Chinese Academy of Macroeconomic Studies, said that with the further development of China’s railways, especially the high-speed network, the flow and convergence of base resources such as labor, logistics, business , information and capital, which is of great importance for shortening the distance between cities and stimulating high-quality regional economic and social development.
In the future, China’s railway map will continue to expand and contribute to increasing the mobility and vitality of society and the economy.
Title: Riding the Rails of the Future: An Interview with Liu Dawei on China’s High-Speed Railway Expansion
Interviewer (Time.news Editor): Welcome, Liu Dawei! It’s great to have you here with us today. On September 14, the Meizhou-Longchuan section of the Longyen-Longchuan high-speed railway was officially put into operation. This is a significant milestone, reflecting China’s unprecedented railway development. Can you share your thoughts on this achievement?
Liu Dawei: Thank you for having me! Indeed, the operation of the Meizhou-Longchuan section is a testament to our dedication to modernizing our railway infrastructure. With this addition, we have surpassed 160,000 kilometers of railway lines, with over 46,000 kilometers being high-speed. This achievement not only enhances connectivity but also sets a benchmark globally.
Editor: That’s impressive! China’s railway lengths have seen remarkable growth from 21,000 kilometers in 1949 to 160,000 kilometers now. What do you think has driven this rapid expansion?
Liu Dawei: Several factors contribute to this growth. Since 2012, we have increased investments in railway construction significantly. The strategic focus on high-speed rail has been paramount. We’ve built an astonishing 66,000 kilometers of new rail lines, with 38,000 kilometers being high-speed. This investment has allowed us to enhance both the scale and quality of our network dramatically.
Editor: Speaking of high-speed, China currently hosts the fastest commercial trains in the world, such as the Fuxin series, which can operate at speeds of 350 km/h. How does this position China in the realm of global transport?
Liu Dawei: China stands out as the only country that has realized commercial operation of high-speed trains at such speeds. Our advancements in high-speed rail are not just about speed; they symbolize our technological prowess and commitment to providing efficient, modern transport solutions. With 80% of our main high-speed rail corridors completed, we are leading the world in high-speed rail development.
Editor: It’s fascinating how such a vast network has connected urban areas in China. Can you elaborate on the reach of the railway network across the country?
Liu Dawei: Absolutely. Currently, our railway network connects 99% of cities with a population of over 200,000, and 96% of cities with over 500,000 people. We’ve facilitated connections to 145 counties and 19 major urban clusters. This extensive coverage not only boosts economy but significantly improves access to resources and opportunities, enhancing the quality of life for millions.
Editor: With all this progress, what lies ahead for China’s railway network? How do you envision its future?
Liu Dawei: We are continuously aiming for higher levels of modernization. Liu Zhengfan, our chairman, has projected that by 2025, operational mileage will reach 165,000 kilometers, with 50,000 kilometers dedicated to high-speed rail. Additionally, we are embracing intelligent technologies in railway transport to enhance safety, efficiency, and maintenance. Our goal is not only to maintain our lead but to set new standards for global railway development.
Editor: It’s a bold vision! It sounds like intelligent technology will play a crucial role. Can you share some examples of how these technologies are being implemented?
Liu Dawei: Certainly! We are focusing on integrating smart systems in construction, maintenance, and operations. This includes automated monitoring systems to assess structural integrity, predictive maintenance to minimize downtime, and data-driven decision-making processes to optimize scheduling and capacity. These technologies help us operate in various challenging conditions, whether at high altitudes, low temperatures, or for heavy loads.
Editor: It seems like an exciting future is on the horizon for rail travel in China. Thank you, Liu Dawei, for sharing these insights into China’s high-speed railway and its transformation over the years. It’s clear that we are witnessing a pivotal moment in transportation history.
Liu Dawei: Thank you for the opportunity to discuss this important topic. The journey is just beginning, and we look forward to continued advancements that will benefit not just China but the global community as well.