Yicai:

Just now, in the speaker's introduction, he mentioned that by the end of 2021, China's total railway operational length had reached 150,000 kilometers, covering 81% of the counties nationwide. What role has the railway played in underpinning the country's economic and social development and the creation of a new pattern of development? What will be done next to promote the high-quality development of the railway system? Thank you.

An Lusheng:

Thanks for your question. The railway serves as the artery for the national economy. Bearing in mind the country's most fundamental interests, we have given full play to the role of the railway as a pioneer and backbone of development, advancing the implementation of national strategies and socio-economic development, which is mainly reflected in the following three aspects:

First, we have accelerated the construction of railway networks to promote the implementation of major national strategies. To serve poverty alleviation and rural revitalization, we have sped up railway development in central and western regions as well as impoverished areas, and have increased investment to support construction. By the end of 2021, the western region had gained 23,000 kilometers of new railways compared with 2012. To serve regional development, we have optimized the layout of railway networks in key regions such as the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, the Yangtze Economic Belt, the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, and the Chengdu-Chongqing economic zone to help create city clusters. To serve the Belt and Road Initiative, we have successively opened the Mombasa-Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway, Addis Ababa-Djibouti Railway, and the China-Laos Railway; continued to promote cooperation in overseas railway projects; and advanced the high-quality development of the land-sea transit routes for the western region. Over the past decade, the "Four Vertical and Four Horizontal" High-Speed Rail Network has been completed, and the "Eight Vertical and Eight Horizontal" High-Speed Rail Network has started construction, which strongly supports the major national strategies.

Second, we have been strengthening transport capacity to contribute to sound economic and social development. Over the past decade, the railway's transport capacity has seen a marked growth, providing reliable transport guarantee for the steady operation of the national economy. Eighty percent of railway freight is used to transport key materials for the national economy and people's livelihood, such as coal, fertilizer, grain, and oil. At the same time, new freight products, including high-speed rail freight, cold chain transportation, and container trains, have been launched, and an efficient logistics service system has taken shape, which better meets the logistics needs of the people. The number of China-Europe freight train trips totaled 55,000, which has effectively ensured the smooth operation of the foreign trade industry and supply chains, making positive contributions to promoting international and domestic economic flows.

Third, we have improved the transport services to raise public satisfaction. Since the 18th CPC National Congress, the number of passenger trains in operation has increased by 1.4 times, solving the severe shortage of transport capacity during the travel rush. Fuxing bullet trains have been covering more train trips, accounting for 73.6 percent of the total passenger trips in 2021. For the people, travel service has developed from "accessible" in the past to "comfortable" at present. Public welfare transportation has been continuously improved, with "slow trains" benefiting people along the railways. With the improvement of railway services, Chinese people have a stronger sense of gain, happiness, and security. Taking high-speed trains to tour China has become emblematic of ordinary people enjoying a better life. 

Next, to promote the high-quality railway development, we will mainly focus on the following three aspects:

First, we will advance railway construction in a scientific and orderly manner. We will launch of a series of major projects in the 14th Five-Year Plan period. The "Eight Vertical and Eight Horizontal" High-Speed Rail Network will be improved, and the layout of the standard railway network will be optimized. The problem of inadequate rail links in western China will be solved. We will vigorously develop intercity railways and urban railways and build integrated comprehensive transport hubs.

Second, we will keep up our efforts to improve the quality of transport. We will comprehensively refine the layout of freight lines, vigorously develop the integrated transport system, and continue to promote the adjustment of the mix of transport. We will ensure the operation of high-speed railways according to design standards and continuously promote the digital and intelligent transport services. 

Third, we will unswervingly promote safety in railway development. We will consolidate the foundation for workplace safety, improve safety management, and strengthen safety governance along the railway lines to ensure the sustained, steady and safe operation of the railway. Thank you.

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