China to open its longest high-speed railway in northeastern region

May 2, 2018

BEIJING - China is expected to open its longest high-speed railway in a northeastern area neighbouring Siberia, according to the State newsagency, Xinhua.

The 343 km line which links Harbin, the provincial capital of Heilongjiang, with Jiamusi, also in Heilongjiang, has been undergoing tests since Tuesday. It is designed for both passenger and freight transportation with a speed of 200 km per hour. It will shorten the travel time between Harbin and Jiamusi by train to 110 minutes from about 360 minutes.

Construction of the high-speed railway started in July 2014 as one of the key projects included in China's mid- and long-term railway network scheme.

The railway is entirely located in a high-altitude cold area, which is challenging both for builders and future train operators. Local temperatures can dip to minus 35 degrees Celsius in winter. www.webershandwick.cn (ATI).