Guangzhou-Zhanjiang high-speed rail starts construction

Construction on the high-speed railway connecting Guangzhou and Zhanjiang started on Sept 30.

The railway will become an important part of the high-speed railway map linking the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, the Hainan Pilot Free Trade Zone, and the Beibu Gulf Urban Agglomeration.

The Guangzhou-Zhanjiang high-speed railway line starts from the Guangzhou Railway Station and connects seven cities, namely Guangzhou, Foshan, Zhaoqing, Yunfu, Yangjiang, Maoming, and Zhanjiang. 

The railway is expected to receive 99.8 billion yuan ($13.97 billion) in investment and be finished within five years. 

It will be 400 kilometers in length and support speeds of up to 350 km per hour, and will shorten travel time between Guangzhou and Zhanjiang to two hours.

Ma Xingrui, governor of Guangdong province, said that the railway will be the longest and most expensive in the province and be built to the highest standards. It will help spur the socio-economic development of areas alongside the railway as well as regional coordinated development in the province.

"We are very happy that the railway will make transit in Zhanjiang, South China, and even Central and North China more convenient. It's good news for BASF," said Song Yongxin, vice president of BASF Verbund Site, a German chemical giant, in Zhanjiang.

Song added that the railway will attract more talents to Zhanjiang.