China's high-speed rail network passes 50,000km mark

Beijing: China s sprawling high speed rail network passed 50,000 kilometres (31,000 miles) in total operating distance with the opening of a new line...

Beijing: China's sprawling high-speed rail network passed 50,000 kilometres (31,000 miles) in total operating distance with the opening of a new line on Friday, state media reported.

The country has the world's largest rail network -- one-fifth longer than the circumference of the earth.

The trip begins in the city of Xi'an -- home to China's famed Terracotta Warriors -- and ends in Yan'an to its north, state broadcaster CCTV said. Both cities are in northern China's Shaanxi province.

Some homes were demolished and displaced residents would receive 5,000 yuan ($700) per household to relocate, local authorities said in 2020 when construction began.

China's rail network has expanded by around 32 percent compared to 2020, state-owned China Railway added Friday in a statement.