CHINA’S railway sector handled a record-high 3.68 billion passenger trips in 2023, the National Railway Administration said Wednesday.

The number of trips handled on the busiest day exceeded 20 million, an all-time high, and the average daily number of passenger trips exceeded 10 million, according to China State Railway Group Co. Ltd.

The sector transported 3.91 billion cubic tons of cargo last year, also a record high.

Its total transportation revenue came in at 964.1 billion yuan (US$135.8 billion) in 2023, up 39% from the previous year. The operating mileage of China’s railway network totaled approximately 159,000 kilometers at the end of 2023, including 45,000 kilometers of high-speed railway.

China’s railway infrastructure has seen consistent progress in recent years, with nearly 80% of its high-speed railway network now complete, the railway administration said.

Currently, the country’s railway construction is primarily focused on building urban and intercity train lines, along with modern logistics hubs, said Tian Jun, chief engineer with the administration.

Boasting globally leading technological prowess in the sector, the country is prioritizing basic research and seeking breakthroughs in cutting-edge railway technologies to secure technological independence, Tian said.

Official data shows that as of the end of 2023, China’s operating railway network spanned a total of about 159,000 km, with high-speed railways contributing 45,000 km to the mileage.

(Xinhua)