On July 16, media correspondents learned from China State Railway Group Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as China State Railway Group) that China’s railways completed fixed-asset investment of 337.3 billion yuan in the first half of 2024, representing a year-on-year increase of 10.6%, hitting a record high for the same period in history.

A senior official from relevant departments of China State Railway Group introduced that since the start of this year, centering on serving major national strategies and regional economic and social development, the Group has given full play to railways’ strengths featuring long industrial chains, extensive coverage and strong driving effects. It has advanced railway construction with high quality and efficiency, accelerated the development of a modern railway infrastructure system, and further improved the overall functions and benefits of China’s railway network.

Specifically, first, a number of new railway lines were opened for operation smoothly. The Group pushed forward integrated commissioning & testing and trial operation of key projects in an orderly manner, and completed project acceptance, safety assessment, pre-operation preparation and other work with high standards to ensure new lines are completed and opened to traffic as scheduled. A total of 979.6 kilometers of new lines were put into service in the first half of the year, further optimizing the layout of regional railway networks. The opening of the Chizhou–Huangshan High-speed Railway injected new momentum into tourism and economic development along the route. After the Zhongchuan Airport–Wuwei East section of the Lanzhou–Zhangye High-speed Railway commenced operation, Wuwei, an important city on the ancient Silk Road, was connected to the national high-speed rail network. The commissioning of the Jiangjunmiao–Naomaohu Railway in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region further boosted the capacity and efficiency of transporting coal produced in Xinjiang to other regions.

Second, ongoing projects are being advanced in a scientific and orderly fashion. The Group optimized construction organization, implemented safety measures for construction during flood seasons, strengthened on-site operation management, and reinforced ecological, environmental protection and project investment control to guarantee steady progress of projects under construction. Integrated commissioning and testing kicked off for the West Chongqing–Yibin East section of the Chongqing–Kunming High-speed Railway and the Hangzhou–Wenzhou High-speed Railway. Timetable-based trial operation started on the Zhuangzhai–South Lankao section of the Rizhao–Lankao High-speed Railway, bringing the line closer to official operation. Key controlled works of multiple ongoing projects made solid progress: the main bridge of the Yellow River Grand Bridge on the Beijing–Xiong’an–Shangqiu High-speed Railway achieved closure; the first main tower across the entire Nanchang–Jiujiang High-speed Railway was topped out; the Yuncha Jianhe Tunnel on the Beijing–Tangshan Intercity Railway was broken through; the Zhanjiang Bay Subsea Tunnel on the Guangzhou–Zhanjiang High-speed Railway was holed through; all tunnel works of the Jining–Datong–Yuanping High-speed Railway were completed; track-laying work commenced on the Harbin–Yichun High-speed Railway; track-laying on the Zhenjiangguan–Huangshengguan section of the Chengdu (Sichuan)–Xining (Qinghai) Railway was fully finished; and the main structure of Songjiang Station on the Shanghai–Suzhou–Huzhou High-speed Railway was completed.

Third, notable progress was achieved in the preliminary work of railway projects. Prioritizing railway schemes, network connection, network improvement and industrial chain reinforcement projects defined in the Outline of the People’s Republic of China 14th Five-Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development and Long-Range Objectives for 2035, the Group accelerated preliminary work including survey & design, feasibility study and preliminary design. Feasibility study approvals were obtained for seven projects including the Yichang–Fuling High-speed Railway, Tongren–Jishou Railway, Jiaozuo–Pingdingshan Railway, Shenzhen Xili Station and associated works, and the Wuwei–Zhangye section of the Lanzhou–Zhangye High-speed Railway. In addition, China State Railway Group formulated a development plan for the railway freight network to help effectively cut social logistics costs.

The relevant official of China State Railway Group stated that going forward, the Group will thoroughly implement the deployment requirements of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council on accelerating the development of a modern infrastructure system. It will advance railway planning and construction with high quality, strive to complete more physical workload within the year, and make positive contributions to consolidating and strengthening the upward momentum of economic growth.