China is experiencing a prosperous period of urban track transportation construction, and has become the world largest market in this aspect, according to China Communications and Transportation Association.

China has opened track transportation system in nine cities, including Beijing, Shanghai, Tianjin, Guangzhou, Changchun, Dalian, Shenzhen, Wuhan and Nanjing. The total mileage of transportation lines already put into operation exceeded 400 kilometers, including subway of 293 kilometers.

Among the more than 40 Chinese cities with over a million people, 30 have kicked off or prepared for the building of urban high-speed track system. 14 of them have submitted their construction plan, in which 55 lines would run a full length about 1,500 kilometers at a total cost of 500 billion yuan.

China's urban track system has a history of 40 years, for which investment reached 200 billion yuan during the 10th Five-Year Plan Period (2001-2005). It is predicted that by 2010 the newly constructed mileage would top 1,000 kilometers.

During the next five years, railway and track transportation will enjoy even higher priority with the focus laid on the application of latest technologies and the transition from conventional transport means to track-based network in big cities.

By People's Daily Online