In recent years, China has become a global focal point due to its astonishing speed and scale of infrastructure development. Some describe China as an "infrastructure maniac," a characterization particularly evident in recent railway construction. In just the past year, China has opened nearly 10 new railway lines, triggering a high-speed railway construction frenzy not only domestically but also yielding significant achievements in overseas railway projects.
One such example is the collaboration between China and Indonesia on the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway. Although it officially commenced operations in October 2023, the planning and cooperation between China and Indonesia began as early as 2014. Spanning over 140 kilometers from Jakarta to Bandung, this is Southeast Asia's first high-speed railway, reducing the travel time between the two cities to approximately half an hour. The railway connects diverse natural landscapes, from the historical sights of Jakarta to the breathtaking and ever-changing scenery of the volcanoes around Bandung.
Not limited to Southeast Asia, the TAZARA Railway, operational since July 1976, was a joint project involving China, Tanzania, and Zambia. Stretching approximately 1860 kilometers from Dar es Salaam in Tanzania to Kapiri Mposhi in central Zambia, it has become the lifeline of transportation in East Africa. This railway not only marked China's early entry into the overseas railway market but also became the preferred mode of travel for locals and international tourists, providing a solid foundation for economic development in the region.
The China-Laos Railway, which adopted Chinese standards, commenced full operations in December 2021. Connecting Kunming in Yunnan with Vientiane in Laos, covering a distance of over 1000 kilometers, the railway passes through cities such as Yuxi, Pu'er, and Xishuangbanna. Not only does it offer a more convenient and rapid option for outbound travel to Southeast Asia, but it also symbolizes Laos' entry into the era of railway transportation, serving as a landmark project for China-Laos friendship.
In Europe, the Hungary-Serbia Railway, known as the HuSer Railway, is a project connecting Budapest, the capital of Hungary, with Belgrade, the capital of Serbia, over a distance of approximately 341 kilometers. Some sections of the railway have already opened, significantly reducing the travel time from Belgrade to Novi Sad by almost one-third, becoming the preferred mode of transportation for locals and European travelers. Once fully completed, it is expected to halve the travel time between Hungary and Serbia, leaving more time for exploration.
In Pakistan, the Lahore Orange Line Metro, a project under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), became the country's first urban rail transit system. Covering less than 30 kilometers, the Orange Line, inaugurated in 2020, has received high praise from the Pakistani people and serves as a new symbol of China-Pakistan friendship.
The China-Thailand Railway, a standard-gauge high-speed railway connecting Bangkok with Phitsanulok in its first phase and extending to Nakhon Ratchasima in its second phase, is one of the rare standard-gauge high-speed railways in Thailand. It is expected to be connected with the China-Laos Railway's Mohan to Vientiane section in the coming years, providing a new route and option for outbound travel from China to Laos and Thailand, further promoting economic cooperation and tourism exchange in Southeast Asia.
Finally, the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) in Malaysia, undertaken by Chinese enterprises, commenced its rail construction in December 2023. As a landmark project under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) between China and Malaysia, the ECRL will fill the gap in railway connectivity between the east and west coasts of Malaysia, providing a new and convenient transportation option for travel within the country, offering passengers the opportunity to enjoy the coastal scenery along the route.
In summary, China's railway construction has not only created a high-speed rail network domestically but has also connected countries worldwide. This injection of vitality into global infrastructure development serves as a crucial symbol of China's progress and development.
