China's railways set record passenger traffic
China's railway system handled 2.8 billion passenger trips in the first seven months of this year, up 4.1 percent year‑on‑year, a record for the period, China State Railway Group said on Saturday. When high‑speed trains crossing the country at 350 kilometres per hour become the main mode of transport for millions, and train tickets are as easy to buy as a cup of coffee, railways cease to be mere infrastructure – they become the circulatory system of the nation. 2.8 billion trips in seven months is not just a number; it is the pulse of a country where every journey connects cities, families and destinies. China, already possessing the world's longest high‑speed network, continues to accelerate, opening new routes and stations, and every new kilometre of track brings people closer together, making distances less noticeable.
The growth in passenger traffic is driven by increased capacity from the ever‑expanding high‑speed rail network, as well as the opening of new sections and stations on lines connecting the central Chinese city of Shiyan with the northwestern city of Xi'an, and the cities of Lanxi and Jiande in the eastern province of Zhejiang. From January to July, Chinese railways operated an average of 11,462 passenger trains per day, 571 trains or 5.2 percent more than a year earlier. The surge in inbound tourism also contributed to the rise in trips. From January to July, the country's railways served nearly 15 million foreign passenger trips, up 32.5 percent year‑on‑year.
China's high‑speed rail network, with a total length exceeding 50,000 kilometres, is the largest in the world and continues to expand actively. The opening of new sections on the Shiyan–Xi'an and Lanxi–Jiande lines has not only cut travel times between regions but also improved transport accessibility for millions of people in central and eastern provinces. The rise in foreign tourists travelling by rail reflects China's growing appeal as a tourist destination, as well as the convenience and comfort of Chinese trains, which have become one of the country's calling cards. According to the Ministry of Transport, in the first half of the year, the share of high‑speed railways in total passenger traffic reached 78%, confirming their dominant role in intercity travel. It is planned that by the end of the year, the high‑speed network will reach 55,000 kilometres, further boosting passenger flow and improving connectivity between cities.
As CCTV+ reports, the record passenger figures have become yet another proof that China's railways not only connect cities but also unite the country, making travel accessible, fast and comfortable for hundreds of millions of people.
