As the 2025 APEC Leaders' Meeting approaches in Gyeongju, South Korea (October 31-November 1), one story of regional integration stands out: the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link (XRL). Seven years on, its Hong Kong section is more than a train line; it's a bridge between the Chinese mainland and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
Operating more than 100 train pairs daily and linking Hong Kong with 96 stations across the Chinese mainland, the XRL carried a record 3.2 million passengers in August. According to the railway operator, this is the highest monthly ridership since the line began service.
Beyond speed and volume, the operator has rolled out passenger-first features, from flexible ticket changes and special fare discounts to tailored schedules for sightseeing, all aimed at making cross-boundary travel smoother and more appealing.
For business and tech enthusiasts, these connections mean faster access to entrepreneurial hubs in the Chinese mainland. For young travelers and digital nomads, the seamless ride promises weekend getaways and cultural dives with minimal planning friction. Thought leaders say transport links like the XRL exemplify how infrastructure can spur sustainable urban growth and people-to-people exchanges.
As delegates gather to shape a more connected Asia-Pacific economy, the story of this high-speed rail line offers a timely reminder: behind every policy discussion is the real impact of mobility, from increased trade and tourism to mutual understanding that helps stitch the region's social fabric ever tighter.
Reference(s):
APEC Stories: High-speed rail boosts mainland, Hong Kong exchanges
cgtn.com
