China's railway system constantly upgraded

China's railway system carried 4.08 billion passengers, a year-on-year growth of 10.8 percent, and the number of passengers transported by railways in a single day reached a record high of 21.448 million, China State Railway Group Co (China Railway) said during an annual work conference on Thursday.

In 2025, the national railway system is expected to transport a total of 4.28 billion passengers, an increase of 4.9 percent year-on-year, China Railway noted.

By the end of 2024, China's railway operating mileage reached 162,000 kilometers, of which 48,000 kilometers are high-speed railways, marking a record achievement, according to China Railway.

In 2024, 3,113 kilometers of new railway lines were commissioned, of which 2,457 kilometers were high-speed railways. China's total investment in railway fixed assets hit 850.6 billion yuan ($117 billion) in 2024, expanding by 11.3 percent year-on-year.

China Railway said that it will strive to complete 590 billion yuan of railway infrastructure investment and put 2,600 kilometers of new lines into operation this year.

By 2030, the national railway operating mileage is expected to reach 180,000 kilometers, of which about 60,000 kilometers will be high-speed railways - unprecedented in the world.

China Railway has increased the number of high-speed trains operating between major cities, ramped up the operation range of the Fuxing intelligent EMU, and introduced sleeper-equipped Fuxing EMU high-speed trains for the first time.

A total of 1,860 trains dedicated to tourism were operated in 2024, up 20 percent year-on-year. The construction of railway-related logistical infrastructure also accelerated with the construction of 44 special freight railway lines and 12 logistics bases along railway lines.

This year, China Railway will promote the test and assessment of the CR450 high-speed train, which is designed for a maximum running speed of 400 kilometers per hour.

The most advanced CR450 high-speed bullet train made a debut in Beijing on Sunday. Upon entering commercial service, it will be the fastest high-speed train in the world, Xinhua News Agency reported.