Hong Kong has further expanded its high-speed rail network into the Chinese mainland, launching direct services to 16 new cities including Wuxi, Quanzhou, and Hefei.

This expansion, including Monday's addition of the 16 new railway stops, brings the total number of mainland destinations directly accessible from Hong Kong's West Kowloon Station to 110, spanning 19 provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities.

At 14:05 on Monday, the inaugural G386 train departed from Hong Kong's West Kowloon Station bound for Wuxi City, east China's Jiangsu Province.

"This is a vivid manifestation of our motherland's development. I am very excited and feel honored to be able to take the inaugural train from Hong Kong to Wuxi," said Tang Ming Chien, honorary advisor of the Hong Kong Wuxi Association, who was also aboard the train.

During the journey, the high-speed train became a moving "cultural salon", featuring live performances of Wuxi Opera, Suzhou Pingtan, and folk music ensembles.

"I believe that with the launch of this direct high-speed rail service, more and more people in Hong Kong will return to Wuxi to visit the city's beautiful landscapes and witness the development of their hometown. Exchanges and cooperation between the two places will reach a new level," said Chan Chik Pun, vice president of the Federation of Hong Kong Jiangsu Community Organizations.

The G386 train arrived at Wuxi East Station around 22:00 after an approximately eight-hour journey.

On Tuesday morning, the G384 train, operating as a through service, departed smoothly from Wuxi East Station. After making scheduled stops at nine stations including Nanjing South and Hefei South, it arrived at Hong Kong's West Kowloon Station at 17:52 that same day.

In addition, Quanzhou in east China's Fujian Province has also established its first direct high-speed rail connection to Hong Kong. Passengers no longer need to take transfer in Fuzhou or Xiamen, as was previously required, significantly reducing both travel time and cost.

"With the train's new stop at Quanzhou South Railway Station, travel time from Quanzhou to Hong Kong West Kowloon has been shortened. We have simultaneously updated our directional signage and set up a dedicated inquiry window at the service counter to provide passengers with a smooth cross-border travel experience," said Tong Yapeng, deputy head of Quanzhou South Railway Station.