China's high-speed rail links to double by 2012 with investment of USD120bn

China's Ministry of Railways stated China will invest CNY800 billlion (USD120 billion) as part of plans to double its high-speed rail network by 2012 (China Daily, 29-Jul-2010). More than 6,000km of new high-speed tracks will be laid across the country, for a total network of 13,000km by 2012. There is 6,920km of high-speed rail lines in the country. The Ministry's Chief Engineer, He Huawu, stated China will set a new record by operating trains at 380kph on the Beijing-Shanghai link, scheduled for completion prior to 2012.