In September 2008, China's Ministry of Railways (MOR) announced that the construction of the Beijing-Shanghai high-speed railway is scheduled for completion by 2012.

By then, the railway will allow trains to run at a maximum speed of 380 kilometers per hour, becoming the world's fastest railway line in operation.

It will also shorten the running time between Beijing and Shanghai to just over four hours from the previous estimate of five hours.

The distance between Beijing South Railway Station and Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station is 1,318 kilometers, the double-track line will be the world's longest express rail line to be built in one stage, and will have the highest standards in the world. A total of 21 stops will be set up along the line.

By People's Daily Online