China will have more high-speed railways by 2012 than the rest of the world combined, according to a World Bank report.
The report said that in two years the country will construct 42 passenger lines with top speeds in excess of 250km/h, and will provide high-speed rail travel on 13,000km of track.
China’s proposed passenger rail system will be the biggest single planned programme of passenger rail investment in one country.
Worlds Bank Transport Coordinator in China John Scales said the bank is supporting a number of projects in China’s railway programme.