China continues to expand its railway network, with its latest addition being a 277-kilometer high-speed train line along the southeastern coast. This new line connects the cities of Zhangzhou, Xiamen, and Fuzhou, all located in Fujian province. Trains on this route can reach speeds of up to 350 kilometers per hour, as confirmed by China Railway, the state railway operator. On September 28, the inaugural journey of this new line commenced from Fuzhou, the provincial capital, at 9:15 a.m.China launches speed train
Remarkably, this railway features 84 bridges, 29 tunnels, and 20 kilometers of track that traverse over the sea, marking China’s first over-water bullet train. The construction of the overwater rail sections employed intelligent robots and environmentally friendly corrosion-resistant steel, according to China Railway.
This railway project is part of a broader infrastructure initiative launched by the Chinese government in 2016, known as the “Eight Horizontal and Eight Vertical” rail plan. The challenging terrain of Fujian province, characterized by its mountains, has posed transportation difficulties, making these new rail connections highly significant.
Fujian province holds strategic importance due to its proximity to Taiwan, with Xiamen situated just 10 kilometers across the Taiwan Strait from Kinmen, the westernmost region of Taiwan. China’s Communist Party asserts sovereignty over Taiwan, although it has never governed the island. Recently, the Communist Party issued a circular emphasizing the need for improved connectivity and integration between Fujian and Taiwan.China launches speed train
An unconventional proposal surfaced earlier this year, suggesting the construction of both a physical and symbolic bridge across the strait, transforming Kinmen into a “peace island” acting as a buffer zone between Taiwan and China.
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