BEIJING, Jan. 31 (Xinhua) — In 2008, the year China hosted the Summer Olympic Games, the Beijing-Tianjin Intercity Railway was put into operation, unveiling a fast-expanding modern high-speed railway (HSR) network in the world’s second-largest economy.
A “Fuxing” high-speed train runs on the Beijing-Tianjin Intercity Railway in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 25, 2019. (Xinhua/Xing Guangli)The first train of the Beijing-Tianjin Intercity Railway departs from Beijing South Railway Station in Beijing, capital of China, Aug. 1, 2008. (Xinhua/Gong Lei) A driver works on a train running on the Beijing-Tianjin Intercity Railway on Aug. 1, 2008. (Xinhua) A passenger displays a ticket on a train running on the Beijing-Tianjin Intercity Railway on Aug. 1, 2008. (Xinhua/Wang Yebiao)
As the first HSR system with a designed speed of 350 kilometers per hour in China, the Beijing-Tianjin Intercity Railway carried a total of 340 million passengers since it entered operation. Nowadays, it takes just 30 minutes for passengers to travel a distance of some 120 kilometers between Beijing and Tianjin, both bustling megacities.
This photo taken on Aug. 1, 2023 shows the waiting hall of the Beijing South Railway Station in Beijing, capital of China. (Xinhua/Zhang Chenlin) Passengers are pictured aboard a train operating on the Beijing-Tianjin Intercity Railway at the Beijing South Railway Station in Beijing, capital of China, Aug. 1, 2023. (Xinhua/Ju Huanzong)An aerial drone photo taken on Aug. 8, 2018 shows bullet trains running on the Beijing-Tianjin Intercity Railway in Tianjin, north China. (Xinhua/Yang Baosen)An aerial drone photo taken on July 20, 2023 shows a train operating on the Beijing-Tianjin Intercity Railway in the urban area of north China’s Tianjin. (Xinhua/Zhang Chenlin)
The operation of the Beijing-Tianjin Intercity Railway was strong support for the hosting of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games and has accelerated regional integration and development. It has also unveiled a fast-expanding modern HSR network in the world’s most populous nation, coupled with its booming economy.
China, originally a latecomer to modern transport, now has the world’s largest high-speed railway network. By the end of November 2023, the total operation mileage of China’s railway network exceeded 155,500 kilometers, including 43,700 kilometers of high-speed railways.
An aerial drone photo taken on Aug. 1, 2008 shows a bullet train running through the Yangcun bridge of the Beijing-Tianjin Intercity Railway in north China’s Tianjin. (Photo by Yuan Ruilun/Xinhua)A Fuxing bullet train arrives at the Tianjin Railway Station in Tianjin, north China, Aug. 21, 2017. China’s new-generation bullet trains Fuxing were put into operation on the Beijing-Tianjin Intercity Railway on Aug. 21. (Xinhua/Yang Baosen)Passengers record the speed of Fuxing bullet train running on the Beijing-Tianjin Intercity Railway on Aug. 8, 2018. (Xinhua/Zhang Chenlin)A conductor presents a 15th-anniversary souvenir to a passenger aboard a train operating on the Beijing-Tianjin Intercity Railway, Aug. 1, 2023. The Beijing-Tianjin Intercity Railway celebrated its 15th anniversary of opening on Aug. 1. (Xinhua/Li Ran)
China’s high-speed railway has also gone global. The Jakarta-Bandung High-speed Railway in Indonesia, officially launched in October 2023, is a good example. It is the first overseas high-speed railway project fully utilizing Chinese railway systems, technology, and industrial components.
An aerial drone photo taken on Sept. 30, 2023 shows a high-speed electrical multiple unit (EMU) train of the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway running in Purwakarta, Indonesia. (Xinhua/Xu Qin)An aerial drone photo taken on Dec. 6, 2023 shows a high-speed electrical multiple unit (EMU) train on the platform of Tegalluar Station in Bandung, Indonesia. (Xinhua/Xu Qin)An electrical multiple unit (EMU) train of the Jakarta-Bandung high-speed railway leaves Halim Station in Jakarta, Indonesia, Dec. 25, 2023. (Xinhua/Xu Qin)
The Jakarta-Bandung High-speed Railway links Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia, and Bandung, a famous tourist city.
With a designed speed of 350 kilometers per hour, the 142.3-km line shortens the train trip between Jakarta and Bandung from more than three hours to about 40 minutes, offering more options for travelers, commuters, and families living apart.
An aerial drone photo taken on Dec. 6, 2023 shows a running high-speed electrical multiple unit (EMU) train on the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway in Bandung, Indonesia. (Xinhua/Xu Qin)A high-speed electrical multiple unit (EMU) train is about to arrive at Padalarang Station in Padalarang, Indonesia, Dec. 12, 2023. (Xinhua/Xu Qin)An aerial drone photo taken on Oct. 17, 2024 shows Chinese and Indonesian constructors waving flags to greet a bullet train running on the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway in Bandung, Indonesia. (Xinhua/Xu Qin)
The high-speed line is a flagship project that synergizes the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative and Indonesia’s Global Maritime Fulcrum strategy, and also a signature project of pragmatic cooperation between China and Indonesia.
A passenger shows a commemorative ticket in a carriage of a high-speed electrical multiple unit (EMU) train running on the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway in Indonesia, Oct. 17, 2023. (Xinhua/Xu Qin)Passengers get tickets on ticketing machines at Halim Station of the Jakarta-Bandung High-speed Railway (HSR) in Jakarta, Indonesia, Dec. 17, 2023. (Xinhua/Xu Qin)A high-speed electric multiple unit (EMU) train for the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway stops at Halim Station in Jakarta, Indonesia, Oct. 2, 2023.(Xinhua/Xu Qin)Journalists and staff members take photos and videos of a train screen which shows the train speed exceeding 350 kilometers per hour on a comprehensive inspection train during the joint commissioning and testing phase for the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway in Indonesia, June 22, 2023. (Xinhua/Xu Qin)Passengers take selfies in a carriage of a high-speed electrical multiple unit (EMU) train running on the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway in Indonesia, Oct. 17, 2023. (Xinhua/Xu Qin)
The Jakarta-Bandung HSR marked its 100th day of operation on Jan. 24 with a total of 1.45 million passengers transported. In the upcoming Spring Festival holiday, the railway will continue to give passengers a fast, smooth and enjoyable experience along their journey.
Passengers wait in line in the waiting hall of Halim Station of the Jakarta-Bandung High-speed Railway (HSR) in Jakarta, Indonesia, Dec. 25, 2023. (Xinhua/Xu Qin)Passengers are pictured at the waiting hall of the Halim Station of the Jakarta-Bandung High-speed Railway (HSR) in Jakarta, Indonesia, Jan. 24, 2024. (Xinhua/Xu Qin)Passengers walk on the platform of Halim Station of the Jakarta-Bandung High-speed Railway (HSR) in Jakarta, Indonesia, Dec. 25, 2023. (Xinhua/Xu Qin)
Both the Beijing-Tianjin Intercity Railway and the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway have changed the commute circle and lifestyles of people and greatly optimized resource allocation, bringing new opportunities for cities and people along the route to accelerate towards a better life.
This photo taken on Aug. 17, 2023 shows high-speed electrical multiple unit (EMU) trains of the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway in Bandung, Indonesia. (Xinhua/Xu Qin)
Directors: Wang Jianhua, Zhang Chongfang, Tu Ming & Wu Liming
Coordinators: Wu Wei, Zhang Weige, Wang Qingqin & Xing Guangli
Photographers: Zhang Chenlin, Xu Qin, Li Ran, Xing Guangli, Wang Yebiao, Gong Lei, Ju Huanzong, Yuan Ruilun & Yang Baosen
Editors: Niu Xiaolei, Li Mangmang, Liu Lingyi, Zheng Huansong & Geng Xinning■
