Political adviser provides wisdom for development of high-speed railway system

Political adviser Zhang Geming has contributed his wisdom in promoting the high-quality development of China's railway system.

Zhang, 55, chief researcher from the China Academy of Railway Sciences, served as a member of the 13th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference from 2018 to 2022. He was reelected as a member of the 14th National Committee of the CPPCC this year.

He focuses on areas including early seismic warning and noise control on high-speed railways.

As the leading technical expert of the academy's High-speed Railway Earthquake Safety Technology Research and Development Group, he led the team to develop the high-speed railway's earthquake early warning system with independent intellectual property rights, and built the laboratory of the earthquake early warning system, greatly improving the ability of high-speed railway earthquake disaster reduction and prevention.

He was also engaged in the Sichuan-Tibet Railway's construction, completing the research and development of the earthquake warning system at key construction sites along the line, providing technical support for improving the railway's safety.

The Sichuan-Tibet Railway is a major strategic construction project with many challenges, including complicated geological structures and sensitive environment in the region, which makes construction extremely difficult, according to railway experts.

The 1,838-km Sichuan-Tibet Railway project is divided into three parts. Two parts have been completed and are currently running. The Chengdu-Ya'an section in Sichuan opened in 2018, and the Lhasa-Nyingchi line began operating in 2021.

Construction on the third and most challenging section, linking Sichuan and Tibet between Ya'an and Nyingchi, began in 2020.

As a top political adviser and a railway expert, Zhang submitted several proposals focusing on the construction and technological innovation of the Sichuan-Tibet Railway, which have been highly valued by leaders from relevant departments, including the Ministry of Transport, Ministry of Science and Technology and China State Railway Group.

In July 2021, he participated in a field research activity organized by the CPPCC national committee to boost technological innovation in building Sichuan-Tibet Railway and submitted a proposal.

Zhang also offers suggestions for other transport issues.

In April 2021, he took part in an on-site survey about promoting the high-quality development of multimodal transport. He then put forward a suggestion for the sustainable development of China-Europe freight train services.

Zhang said that in the past five years, he has participated in the most survey activities organized by the CPPCC national committee in 2021, according to People's Railway Daily.

"The field research activities focused on effectiveness and research results, and I feel that I have a great responsibility (to do my job as a political adviser and a railway researcher)," he said, adding that he is proud of and also confident to see his proposals being processed.

Participating in the annual sessions of the CPPCC, Zhang said he feels a heavy responsibility as a CPPCC National Committee member.

"I will coordinate top scientists and experts from relevant fields to work on major technical problems and support the construction of the Sichuan-Tibet Railway," he said.

luowangshu@chinadaily.com.cn