高速火车在中国

As of this morning, train travel has become just that much more convenient.  Today, 280 new high-speed trains are being put into operation, with another 514 similar trains on the tracks here in China by the end of the year.  The train speeds are increasing from an average of 115 kilometers per hour on the express runs to 250 kilometers per hour.  The Ministry of Railways estimates that this is going to cut travel time between major centers here in China by as much as 50 percent.  But aside from the quicker trips, what is this going to mean for the equally important transportation sector for goods throughout China?  Ni hao, you're listening to People In the Know, your window into the world around you, online at www.crienglish.com here on China Radio International.  In this edition of our show, we'll look at the Chinese rail system and the efforts underway to make it run more quickly.  So let's get started.

(Music)

First, to give us more of a financial perspective on what the speed increases on Chinese trains means, we're joined by Ms. Wang Fang, finance officer and sector coordinator for railways with the Asian Development Bank Resident Mission to the PRC.

(Dialogue with Fang)

We're going to take a short break.  When we come back, we'll talk to one of the companies which is helping to evolve the Chinese train system.

(Promo)

Ni hao, you're listening to People In the Know, your window into the world around you, online at www.crienglish.com here on China Radio International.  I'm Paul James in Beijing.  In this edition of our show, we're talking about the increase in the speed of express trains here in China, which the Ministry of Railways says may cut travel time between major centers by as much as 50 percent.  To talk more about the railways, and the innovations being made on them here in China, we're joined on the line from Paris by Mr. Marc Chartelard, Senior VP for the China region of Alstom.

(Dialogue with Chartelard)

And with that, we close out this edition of People In the Know, online at www.crienglish.com here on China Radio International.  Many say that there's something almost magical about taking a train.  True in some respects, but only for a finite amount of time.  The less time I spend cramped up in a confined space, the better.  Questions or comments for us can be sent to crieng@crifm.com.  For Executive Director Lin Lin and Producer Wang Lei, I'm Paul James in Beijing.  Enjoy your Wednesday.  And enjoy riding those rails.