China Plans to Expand High-Speed Rail Network to 60,000 km by 2030
China is set to dramatically expand its high-speed railway network, aiming to reach approximately 60,000 kilometers by 2030, up from 48,000 km expected by the end of 2024, according to data released by the China State Railway Group Co., Ltd. (China Railway).
As the nation continues to bolster its transportation infrastructure, the total operating mileage of its railway network is projected to hit 180,000 km by 2030, increasing from 162,000 km at the end of 2024.
In 2025 alone, China Railway plans to invest around 590 billion yuan (approximately $82.08 billion) in fixed assets for the railway sector, with an estimated 2,600 km of new rail tracks set to become operational within the year.
The expansion comes as China’s railway network handles an unprecedented number of passengers and cargo. In 2024, the network accommodated a record 4.08 billion passenger trips, marking a 10.8 percent increase compared to 2023. This figure is expected to continue rising in 2025, potentially reaching 4.28 billion trips.
Freight transportation has also seen significant growth. In 2024, China’s railways transported a total of 3.99 billion tonnes of cargo, up 1.9 percent year-on-year, maintaining an upward trend for the eighth consecutive year.
Additionally, the China-Europe freight train service completed 19,000 trips in 2024, transporting 2.07 million twenty-foot equivalent unit (TEU) containers of goods, reflecting a 10 percent increase in trips and a 9 percent increase in cargo volume year-on-year.
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China's high-speed railway network to reach 60,000 km by 2030
cgtn.com
