China’s High-Speed Railway Network Expands with Ambitious Goals for 2030
China continues to push the boundaries of railway innovation, aiming to operate 180,000 kilometers of railway lines by 2030, including an impressive 60,000 kilometers dedicated to high-speed rail. This expansion reinforces the country’s commitment to revolutionizing transportation and boosting economic development.
Record Passenger and Freight Growth in 2024
In 2024, China’s railway system transported 4.08 billion passengers, a year-on-year increase of 10.8%, with daily ridership peaking at over 21 million during the Spring Festival. Freight transport also saw significant growth, moving 3.99 billion tons of cargo, up 1.9% from the previous year. These numbers highlight the system’s critical role in supporting both travel and logistics.
Ambitious Plans for 2025
Looking ahead, China Railway plans to:
- Transport 4.28 billion passengers and 4.03 billion tons of cargo in 2025.
- Invest 590 billion yuan ($80.8 billion) in railway infrastructure.
- Launch 2,600 kilometers of new railway lines, including the rollout of the CR450 high-speed train, which will become the fastest train globally with a top speed of 400 kilometers per hour.
These advancements will help meet growing demands for travel, reduce logistics costs, and elevate China’s transportation network to a new level.
Vision for 2030: Faster and More Connected
China’s railways aim to achieve the “1-2-3 circles”, a concept that will significantly cut travel times:
- One hour for trips within cities or city clusters.
- Two hours between major metropolitan areas.
- Three hours for trips between large cities.
For mail and goods, delivery times will be as short as one day domestically, two days to neighboring countries, and three days to major global cities.
Boosting Tourism and Local Connectivity
Railway development is expected to strengthen regional connectivity and support tourism. In 2024, 1,860 tourist trains were operated, a 20% increase year-on-year, with plans to expand this service in 2025. Examples like the Shanghai-Suzhou-Huzhou high-speed railway, launched in December 2024, showcase how targeted routes can transform travel. What once took an entire night by ship between Shanghai and Huzhou now takes less than an hour by train.
Transforming Freight into Modern Logistics
China’s rail freight system is evolving into a modern logistics network, helping reduce logistics costs by 60 billion yuan in 2024. The year also saw the construction of 44 special freight lines and 12 logistics bases, further enhancing the efficiency of cargo movement.
A Sustainable Future
Railway expert Sun Zhang from Shanghai Tongji University emphasized how these developments are tailored to meet regional demands while reducing environmental impact. The network not only promotes travel convenience but also injects significant momentum into the economy through efficient logistics.
As China Railway continues to build and modernize its infrastructure, the country is setting a global benchmark for what high-speed rail can achieve in terms of connectivity, economic growth, and environmental sustainability.
