China has inaugurated its high-speed rail line that spans across several bays and hugs the southeastern coast of Fujian province, adjacent to the Taiwan Strait. The commencement of this remarkable rail journey occurred with the departure of a bullet train from Fuzhou, the capital city of Fujian province. This marks the official launch of the Fuzhou-Xiamen-Zhangzhou railway, covering a distance of 277 kilometers (172 miles).

This railway is a groundbreaking achievement as it represents China's first cross-sea high-speed line featuring bullet trains. These trains will traverse bridges over three coastal bays, achieving impressive speeds of up to 350 kilometers per hour (218 mph). The China State Railway Group Co Ltd, the nation's railway operator confirmed this marking a notable advancement in China's high-speed rail network.

The new high-speed rail connection has significantly reduced travel time between Fuzhou and Xiamen, a prominent economic hub and a favored tourist destination. This rail journey now takes less than an hour, a considerable time-saving benefit.

China Railway Siyuan Survey and Design Group Co Ltd were responsible for the meticulous planning and execution of this pioneering railway endeavour. As of 2022, China had an extensive network of operational high-speed railways, totaling 42,000 kilometers. Furthermore, the length of high-speed rail capable of consistently achieving speeds of 350 kilometers per hour reached nearly 3,200 kilometers by June 2022.

China has recently unveiled plans to transform Fujian into an integrated development zone alongside Taiwan, which is situated directly across the Taiwan Strait from the province. This railway link is anticipated to bolster investment prospects and streamline travel between the two regions.

A Chinese government representative indicated that Fujian has established a comprehensive, multifaceted transportation network, enabling the technical feasibility of constructing a high-speed transport corridor that connects the province with Taiwan, as reported by state media. This development holds the potential to significantly enhance connectivity and collaboration between Fujian and Taiwan.

Taiwan has firmly rejected previous Chinese proposals to connect the island to the mainland's railway network, a colossal undertaking that would entail the construction of the world's lengthiest undersea tunnel beneath the Taiwan Strait.

In response to these statements, Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council, responsible for shaping the country's China policy, emphasized that such monumental infrastructure projects could not be decided unilaterally. They underscored that even China's overseas Belt and Road investments necessitate discussions with the host nations.

It's important to note that China severed formal dialogue channels with Taiwan's government back in 2016.

On a different note, China recently unveiled its inaugural commercial suspended monorail line in Wuhan, the capital of Hubei province. This monorail, spanning 10.5 kilometers (6.5 miles), operates fully autonomously and only necessitates human intervention in emergencies, as reported by China Daily.

Image source: Hindustan Times