(Image courtesy of www.news.cn)
On 26 December 2012, the new high-speed rail line between Beijing and Guangzhou in southern China opened. The 2,298 kilometre line is the longest high-speed rail line in the world and reduces the travel time between the two cities from more than 20 hours to only eight.
Running at an average speed of 300 kilometres per hour, the line stops in 35 cities and will eventually reach Hong Kong. 155 pairs of trains will run on the line every day, with second-class seats costing RMB 865 (US$138).
The line will add an estimated RMB 30 billion to China's GDP every year.
Zhou Li, director of science and technology at China's Ministry of Railways, said, "The opening of the railway will effectively reduce the social time cost and make travelling more convenient. It can play a great role in boosting coordinated regional economic and social development, promoting the integration
of neighbouring cities and accelerating urbanisation and industrialisation along the way."
Please click here and here to access coverage in the Chinese media.
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