On December 1, the high speed rail link commenced operation in northeast China, connecting four major cities, namely: Dailin, Shenyang, Changchun and Harbin. This is the first high speed rail link constructed to operate under extreme cold weather in China. The high speed train is running at the speed of 200 to 300 km per hour and greatly reduced the travelling time in the north-eastern region of the country.
     As at the end of October 2012, a total of 7,735 km of high speed rail lines has been completed and in operation in China, which makes it number one in the world. China has a railway network of approximately 100,000 km, which is also the world's number one in terms of the total number of passengers and cargo movement. The high speed train network is becoming the most popular inter-city transportation mode in the country, replacing coaches and vehicles.
     Recently, the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) has approved more than RMB170 billion of railway and electricity projects, including approval of a RMB70.7 billion project to add 89 km of new metro railway lines to Beijing between now and 2016, as part of the government's expansion of the capital's metro construction plan. The new lines include a rail link connecting Beijing airport with the city's subway system. Under the new government plan, Beijing will have 664 km of metro railway by 2016.
     In Tianjin Binhai New Area Construction & Investment Group plans to invest RMB69.2 billion in the Binhai New Area of Tianjin from 2012 to 2016. The investment will cover primarily transportation, infrastructure and also real estate and environmental projects.


High speed train terminal under construction in Gongbei, Zhuhai


High speed train at Guangzhou South Station