Beijing-Shanghai high-speed rail to commence on 30-Jun-2011

China's Ministry of Railways confirmed (23-Jun-2011) construction work on the long anticipated Beijing-Shanghai high-speed rail link has been completed and the service will officially commence commercial operations on 30-Jun-2011 with ticket sales to commence from today (24-Jun-2011). Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station and China Eastern Airlines have signed an agreement allowing passengers with air tickets to Tokyo, Seoul, Taipei and Hong Kong to book bullet train tickets between Shanghai and cities in the Yangtze Delta Region through the airline (Shanghai daily, 24-Jun-2011). China Eastern Airlines General Manager Ma Xunlun stated he expects the high-speed rail link will take 15% to 20% of domestic air passengers initially but air passenger traffic will recover after six months.