China to build 30,000 new kilometers of railway before 2020

The total mileage of China's domestic railway system is expected to grow by 30,000 kilometers before 2020, according to the country's Minister of Transport, Li Xiaopeng, at a press conference held by the State Council Information Office on Feb. 27. One-third of the increased mileage will consist of high-speed rail, Li added.

Li noted that the total mileage of roads will be expanded by 320,000 kilometers during the 13th Five-Year Plan period (2016-2020). The country will also build more than 300 quay berths above the level of 10,000 DWT, in addition to 50 civil air ports.

According to the comprehensive plan for the development of transportation, total investment in transportation during that 13th Five-Year Plan period will be as much as 15 trillion RMB ($2.18 trillion); up to three-quarters of that amount will go toward railways and roads. Railway investment in 2017 alone is expected to reach 800 billion RMB. By 2020, China will have built a comprehensive modern transportation system that is safe, convenient, efficient and green.