Last year, more than 2,000 km of high-speed railway was opened in China, the length of the network reaches 42,000 km, and the maximum speed is 350 km/h. For the current year, the task is 2,500 km of high-speed railway.

In total, China invested more than $100 billion in railway projects last year, inaugurating 4,100 km, including 2,082 km of high-speed rail. In total, China’s railway network has reached 155,000 km, of which 42,000 km are high-speed.

Several lines were opened with a maximum speed of 350 km/h.

One of the most challenging projects was the 915 km long electrified double line between Chengdu and Kunming, with a maximum speed of 160 km/h. There are several tunnels over 10 km long, including one 22 km long. 915 km can be covered in 7 and a half hours on the old, simple line, the 1,100 km option is possible to travel at a maximum speed of 80 km/h.

In 2023, it is estimated that at least 3,000 km of railway will be opened, of which 2,500 km will be high-speed.

China Railways says 1.61 billion trips are on track for 2022, with expectations for this year significantly higher at 2.7 billion amid the lifting of Covid-related restrictions.

Sources: Railway Gazette International, railtech.com

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