Remarkable progress was reported in China's railway sector. As of the end of last year, China’s railway network stretched to 162,000 kilometers, with 48,000 km dedicated to high-speed rail. The network also expanded into more remote and mountainous areas, where constructing railways was once considered impossible. Freight train services linking China and Europe saw steady growth in 2024. Launched in 2011, the total number of China-Europe freight trains surpassed 100,000 last year. One of the highlights of the year was the debut of the CR450 prototypes, the next generation of high-speed trains that are faster, greener and more comfortable than those in current operation. Once they enter commercial operation, speeds will be increased to 400 km/h from the current 350km/h. This development underscores China’s commitment to advancing transportation technology and improving efficiency.
China’s railway freight and passenger volumes both reached record highs last year, playing a key role in supporting socio-economic development. According to the China State Railway Group, the national railway operator, in 2024, China’s national railway handled a record 4.08 billion passenger trips, with daily traffic reaching a high of nearly 21.45 million. The network also moved 3.99 billion metric tons of cargo, marking the eighth consecutive year of growth.
Over a century ago, Sun Yat-sen, the first President of China, envisioned a modernized China in his book “The International Development of China”. His plan included the construction of 1.6 million km of roads and approximately 160,000 km of railways. Last year, while Sun’s vision for railways became a reality, the development of China’s high-speed rail has in all likelihood exceeded his expectations. Last year, more than 3,100 km of new rail was built, including 2,457 km of high-speed rail, linking key cities and regions. Since 2012, the total length of China’s rail network has grown by more than 65%, while high-speed rail has expanded over fourfold. Compared to 2012, when China’s total railway length was 98,000 km with 9,356 km of high-speed rail, the country’s rail infrastructure has undergone an impressive transformation. Li Jingwei, Deputy Director of the Development and Reform Department of the China State Railway Group, highlighted the accelerated pace of construction. “Since 2012, the expansion of China’s high-speed rail has intensified, with an average of over 3,000 km of new high-speed rail lines put into operation annually,” Li said. Notably, China is the only country to achieve commercial operation of high-speed rail at 350 km/h, showcasing technological prowess, he said. He added that the high-speed railway network covers more than 96% of cities with populations over 500,000, including the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR).
By 2030, China aims to have built a world-class modern railway network covering about 180,000 km, including around 60,000 km of high-speed rail. This expansion will create a more efficient and interconnected transportation system, allowing passengers to travel between major cities in just one to three hours and ensuring the swift movement of cargo across the country. The expansion of the network has not only reduced travel times but also increased connectivity between major cities and more isolated areas, including regions with challenging terrain, where building roads is already difficult, let alone railways. This is particularly true in the rugged mountains of Sichuan and Tibet, where new rail lines have brought services to remote locations, boosting regional development and tourism. The improvement of China’s railway network has also had a transformative effect on the tourism industry. While passenger services have seen dramatic improvements,
China’s railway network is also revolutionizing global trade. A notable milestone was achieved on December 3 when freight train X8083 – carrying goods such as electronics, home appliances, auto parts and daily necessities – arrived in Duisburg, Germany, marking the 100,000th journey between China and Europe. The train, which departed from Chongqing on November 15, 2024, took 18 days to reach the German city. As a cornerstone of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), the China-Europe freight train has evolved into a critical link for trade and connectivity, fostering open cooperation, mutual benefit and economic integration among the countries along the route. In 2024, the service hit a significant benchmark with 19,000 China-Europe freight trains operated, transporting 2.07 million containers, an increase of 10% and 9%, respectively, compared to the previous year. Since launching in 2011, the service has transformed global trade by enhancing connectivity between China and Europe. With costs just one-fifth of air freight and transit times a quarter of sea transport, freight trains have become a preferred choice for many businesses. In 2023, it accounted for over 7% of the total trade between China and Europe. Over the past 13 years, the network has expanded rapidly, growing from a handful of routes into a comprehensive service covering most of the Eurasian region. Today, it connects 227 cities in 25 European countries, 100 cities in 11 Asian countries, and is continually expanding. This broadening network has significantly transformed the logistics landscape between China and Europe, offering businesses more efficient options across diverse regions, the China Daily reports.
