China plans to build 150 thousand kilometers of rail lines by 2020

Almaty. June 30. Silkroadnews – China Daily information portal reports China plans to build 150 thousand kilometer of rail lines by 2020.  

“China set forth new goals for a long-term, more comprehensive plan for the country’s rail network, including 150,000 kilometers of rail lines by 2020. In 2008, the National Development and Reform Commission issued a national rail plan that aimed for an operating rail network of more than 120,000 km by 2020. (…) The plan approved is a revision of the 2008 plan and targets a network of 150,000 km by 2020. Of this, 30,000 km will be high-speed rail,” the publication says.

As reported, the plan also calls for more balanced rail construction to increase accessibility to more of the country, and it vows to build a comprehensive network combining rail, road, water and air transportation.

According to the premier of the State Council of China Li Keqiang, the development of the railways is important to stabilize the country’s economic growth.

“Compared with developed countries of a similar size, the length of China’s operating railways is still not long enough. Railway construction is important for stabilizing economic growth and structural reform, especially in central and western China,” he said.

Reportedly, the focus will be on the high-speed rail network connecting major cities and other urban areas to eight rail lines running north to south and eight going east to west, as well as the intercity rail lines.