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E-mail China.org.cn, July 8, 2024
Chengdu.cn:
Shaanxi is the province with the most neighbors in China. It borders eight provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities in China, and has unique geographical advantages, playing a role of a transportation hub. What steps has Shaanxi taken to build a modern comprehensive transportation system? Thank you.
Wang Haipeng:
Thank you for your question. Shaanxi is located in the geometric center of China. We have both advantages and responsibilities from connecting the north and south, and the east and west. We are promoting the integrated development of comprehensive transportation, supporting the BRI, and at the same time making every effort to develop into a new pacesetter for inland reform and opening-up.
First, we have connected the main transportation arteries. Four of the "eight vertical and eight horizontal" high-speed railways in national plans pass through Shaanxi. Five high-speed railway projects, from Xi'an to Yan'an, Xi'an to Chongqing, and Xi'an to Shiyan, are being accelerated. By 2028, all cities in Shaanxi will be connected by high-speed railways, with a total length of over 2,000 kilometers. We have expanded and intensified the expressway network, and comprehensively improved the expressway capacity and services through intelligent technologies. The total length of expressways in Shaanxi exceeds 6,700 kilometers, and its 24 national expressways are integrated into the national road network.
I would like to stress that, through our efforts, expressway service areas, which used to be more like resting points during travel, are now gradually becoming must-visit destinations for travel consumption.
Second, we have facilitated the internal flow of transportation. We have promoted regional coordinated development through transportation connectivity. Mr. Zhao just introduced the situation of the three major areas in Shaanxi. At present, the total length of highways in Shaanxi has reached 188,000 kilometers, an increase of about 23,000 kilometers in 10 years, and the connectivity and smoothness of the road grid have been improved. The length of the Xi'an subway will soon exceed 400 kilometers. The metropolitan area expanded by the rail lines has allowed the two ancient cities of Xi'an and Xianyang to shift from two cities to a city cluster, better supporting the integrated development of Xi'an and Xianyang. The 161,000 kilometers of rural roads stretch across the entire 200,000 square kilometers of Shaanxi. The basic service network of passengers, freight and mail at village, township and county levels has achieved full coverage. Today's construction, management, maintenance and operation of roads in rural areas have brought wealth, happiness, connectivity and revitalization to local rural residents.
Third, we have contributed to building an inland pacesetter of reform and opening-up. Xi'an Xianyang International Airport is one of the top 10 hub airports in China and ranks at the top in domestic aviation network accessibility. It currently operates 108 international air routes, connecting 86 cities in 43 countries and regions. Especially last year, in the lead-up to the China-Central Asia Summit, we took the lead in launching passenger and freight air routes covering five Central Asian countries. After one year's effort, the number of flights has quadrupled, and the number of passengers has increased fivefold. Moreover, the airport expansion is underway, with projects slated for completion by the end of this year. This airport will have four runways and terminals covering 1.09 million square meters. It will handle 83 million passenger trips and 1 million tons of cargo and mail annually. Mr. Zhao has just talked about the China-Europe Railway Express. At present, the number of China-Europe freight trains accounts for one-quarter of the national total, with trips reaching cities such as Madrid, Paris, and Rotterdam. The China-Europe Railway Express covers the entire Eurasian continent and has become one of the busiest international freight channels. The air hub and land port of the China-Europe Railway Express have become strong supports for Shaanxi's opening-up.
The comprehensive transport network, characterized by high efficiency, low cost, and good services, has facilitated people's travel and smoothed the flow of production factors, providing strong support for the high-quality development of Shaanxi. Next, we will accelerate the construction of a modern comprehensive transportation system and build a high-level inland pacesetter of reform and opening-up. Thank you.
