High-speed trains linking Beijing and Shanghai made their passenger debut Thursday on a $33 billion track China hopes will help ease its overloaded transport system.
Premier Wen Jiabao declared the link 'in operation' at Beijing South rail station before boarding the first sleek-nosed white train that will take passengers to Shanghai, the country's commercial hub, in less than five hours.
He said the high-speed line — launched on the eve of celebrations to mark the 90th birthday of China's communist party — would be key to 'improving the modern transport system... and satisfying people's travelling needs.'
The line, which has been operating on a trial basis since mid-May, halves the journey time between the country's two main cities and could hurt airlines on the busy route plagued by delays and cancellations.
'The high-speed train is fast and more convenient than a plane,' 38-year-old Xu Yuhua told the AFP as she waited with her 10-year-old daughter to board the first train for Shanghai, which left promptly at 3:00pm (0700 GMT).
Source : New Age
