WNAM REPORT: China’s high-speed railway network has reached a new milestone, with its total length extending to 47,000 kilometers, according to data from the National Railway Administration released on Thursday.
As of now, the country’s total railway network stands at approximately 162,000 kilometers, with the high-speed railway accounting for nearly 30 percent.
Experts highlight that this expansion will accelerate the flow of people and goods, boost tourism, and stimulate broader economic growth through the high-speed rail industry chain. Furthermore, the increasing reach of the high-speed railway is expected to strengthen regional economic integration.
The Central Economic Work Conference held in December emphasized boosting domestic demand as the top priority for 2025, which 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, said China’s high-speed railway network has greatly compressed time and space, enabling 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 significant 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.
As an example, Lu noted 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 growth of China’s high-speed railway network is further enhancing regional economic connectivity. “Economic activities often emerge and cluster along transportation routes,” Lu explained. “China’s extensive high-speed railway network significantly increases passenger, freight, and information flows along its lines.”
With the network’s continued development, regional transportation systems have become more efficient, and cooperation within regional economic zones is strengthening, said Lu, adding that this has amplified the agglomeration effect of industries, paving the way for the rise of new regional growth hubs.
