China’s Ministry of Transport has announced significant strides in its 2024 transportation projects, highlighting impressive achievements in infrastructure development and expansion.
At a news briefing on Friday, Vice Minister Li Yang detailed the advancements, noting the completion of major projects like the Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link, the Huangmaohai Cross-Sea Passage, and the Chizhou-Huangshan high-speed railway.
“The demand for transportation is rising rapidly due to our country’s swift economic growth,” Li stated. He emphasized the record-breaking numbers during national holidays, with 8.4 billion trips during the 2024 Spring Festival and 2 billion trips over the seven-day National Day holiday.
Electric vehicles are gaining popularity in China, with 15.9% of highway traffic during the National Day holiday comprised of new energy vehicles. This signifies a notable shift towards sustainable transportation.
Freight transport is also booming, with volumes expected to reach 56.5 billion tonnes, marking a 3.5% increase over the previous year. Port cargo throughput is forecasted to hit 17.5 billion tonnes, up 3.4%.
China’s railway network is set to exceed 160,000 kilometers by year’s end, with nearly 47,000 kilometers of high-speed rail in operation, enhancing connectivity across the nation.
Internationally, China has launched the China-Europe Trans-Caspian Express service and opened Chancay Port in Peru, further boosting global connectivity.
Looking ahead to 2025, the ministry plans to enhance regional transportation, improve commuting within major city clusters, and expand inland waterway and seaport infrastructure.
Efforts will also focus on lowering logistics costs by promoting rail and water freight, increasing data sharing, and optimizing transport efficiency. The ministry predicts these initiatives could save 300 billion yuan ($41.1 billion) in 2025.
Reference(s):
China makes major progress in transportation projects in 2024
cgtn.com
