China sets 15-year transport expansion plan as it seeks to double size of economy by 2035

China’s entire railway system could span 200,000km by 2035, according to a new policy document. That equates to about five trips around the world at its equator

Additionally, 162 new civilian airports are expected to be added across China by 2035, with innovation at the heart of Beijing’s new transport strategy

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People tour a prototype magnetic levitation train at the launch ceremony in Chengdu, Sichuan province, last month. Such trains could potentially travel at 600km/h (373mph). Photo: AFP

Published: 8:00am, 26 Feb 2021Updated: 9:53am, 26 Feb 2021

The world’s largest high-speed rail network could nearly double in size over the next 15 years as part of China’s ambitious new plan to expand public transport – signalling that the government will continue to splash out on large infrastructure projects as it pursues its goal of doubling the size of the economy by 2035.

Beijing aims to increase the national high-speed railway network to 70,000km (43,500 miles) by 2035 – an 84 per cent increase from the estimated 38,000km at the end of last year, according to a blueprint jointly released on Wednesday by the Central Committee of the ruling Communist Party and the State Council, the country’s cabinet.

And the length of the nation’s entire railway network is anticipated to grow to 200,000km in 15 years, an increase of 37 per cent from 146,000km at the end of 2020, the document said.

The railway expansion is part of the comprehensive plan that will also include a 460,000km network of national expressways and ordinary highways, as well as a 25,000km high-quality inland waterway system.

The country also plans to add 162 civilian airports over the period, bringing the total number to 400.

Chinese President Xi Jinping declared in November that it was “completely possible” for China to double the size of its economy, and per capita income, by 2035. Given China’s strong economic rebound from the coronavirus pandemic, some analysts now project the size of China’s economy will surpass that of the United States as early as 2028 – seven years ahead of Beijing’s goal.

As the two countries’ overall economic competition deepens, infrastructure investment is emerging as a new area where Washington is seeking to catch up with Beijing.