The Chinese mainland's high-speed railway network has achieved a significant milestone, expanding its total length to 47,000 kilometers, as reported by the National Railway Administration on Thursday.
Currently, the nation's entire railway system stretches approximately 162,000 kilometers, with high-speed railways constituting nearly 30 percent of the network.
Experts emphasize that this expansion is set to accelerate the movement of people and goods, enhance tourism, and stimulate broader economic growth through the high-speed rail industry chain. Additionally, the wider reach of the high-speed railway is expected to bolster regional economic integration.
The Central Economic Work Conference held in December underscored the importance of boosting domestic demand as the top priority for 2025. This strategy includes enhancing service consumption, developing cultural and tourism industries, and creating innovative consumption scenarios.
Lu Wei, a researcher at the Chinese Academy of Macroeconomic Research, highlighted that the high-speed railway network on the Chinese mainland has significantly compressed time and space, facilitating faster flows of people, goods, information, and capital.
“This movement not only brings about changes in consumption concepts but also promotes diversification in consumption behaviors,” Lu told CMG. “The convenience and accessibility of the high-speed railway have reduced travel times, sparking greater public interest in travel and driving tourism consumption.”
The development of the high-speed railway network also plays a crucial role in stimulating investment and industrial growth. According to Lu, every 100 million yuan ($13.7 million) invested in high-speed railway projects can generate approximately 300 million yuan in related industries such as metallurgy, construction, and manufacturing, creating over 2,200 jobs.
Lu provided an example, noting that a single Fuxing high-speed train comprises over 40,000 components and involves more than 600 first-tier suppliers and 1,500 second-tier suppliers, creating a fivefold industrial ripple effect.
The expansion of China's high-speed railway network is further enhancing regional economic connectivity. “Economic activities often emerge and cluster along transportation routes,” Lu explained. “The extensive high-speed railway network on the Chinese mainland significantly increases passenger, freight, and information flows along its lines.”
With the continued development of the network, regional transportation systems have become more efficient, and cooperation within regional economic zones is strengthening, said Lu. This has amplified the agglomeration effect of industries, paving the way for the rise of new regional growth hubs.
Reference(s):
China's high-speed railway network expands to 47,000 kilometers
cgtn.com
