China has announced a further 250 billion yuan (€36 billion) investment in its rail infrastructure, approving six new high-speed rail and metro projects.
The National Development and Reform Commission has confirmed plans to construct a number of new high-speed lines, including rail links between Jinan and Qingdao, Xuzhou and Yancheng and two new lines connecting Chifeng and Tongliao with the Beijing-Shenyang railway.
The series of announcements included 46.7 billion yuan (€6.7 billion) to extend Chengdu’s metro system, adding a new airport line and expanding the existing network. The programme of investment would increase the length of the city’s metro network by 79 kilometres.
By 2021, the city of Nanning will have a brand new five-line metro system. The commission has advocated the construction of a 128-kilometre metro network – the construction of which is due to start later this year.