China.org.cn | October 28, 2020
CRNTT:
High-speed rail has become a calling card for China, with achievements being witnessed by all. What progress has been made in improving rail transport service to meet the people's expectations for a better life? Thank you.
Liu Zhenfang:
Thank you for your question. During the 13th Five-Year Plan period, we have adhered to a people-centered approach and vigorously implemented supply-side structural reform. Continuous improvement has been made in the supply, quality and safety of rail transport.
First, the quality has significantly increased, enabling people to have a much better travel experience. China has built the world's most advanced high-speed rail network. As you said, it has become a calling card for China, winning universal praise for advanced technology, safety, punctuality, efficiency and sustainability. CRH (China Railways High-speed) is now the most popular mode of transportation among Chinese people.
We have improved the overall quality of rail services and upgraded the supply of passenger transport products. A product series has been created covering passenger trains with boast various classes and operating at different speeds and schedules. We have stepped up efforts to make rail passenger transport more market-based, convenient and informationized. E-ticket, facial recognition, railway applications and other innovative services have been rolled out. Other services including the combination of air transportation with high-speed rail, mutual recognition of security checks and online food orders have become more convenient and efficient. The environment of train stations and coaches as well as the quality of services have noticeably improved. All the efforts are aimed at fulfilling passengers' needs for diverse, personalized and high-quality transport products and services.
Second, we have increased the supply capacity regarding railway freight transport and stepped up market-oriented reforms in the sector. A group of trunk railways including the Haolebaoji-Ji'an, Lanzhou-Chongqing and Quzhou-Ningde lines were opened. The operation of newly built high-speed railways has unleashed the capacity of existing lines and further increased the supply of freight transport services. We have boosted the development of multimodal transport and the combination of water and railway transportation. We have made efforts to promote the construction of industrial sidings and logistic bases to remove barriers in both "the first and the last miles". In response to market demand, we have optimized the supply of railway products, improved a market-based pricing system and promoted development of heavy haul transportation and express trains. Container transport, cold-chain transport and high-speed rail express have become current highlights in the growth of railway freight transportation. We have also promoted the application of electronic receipts and improved the quality of services in this sector.
Third, railway transport has played an active role in enhancing public welfare and combating poverty. We accelerated railway development in poverty-stricken areas of western China. The railway length in central and western China has continuously increased, now accounting for 62% of the country's total. We optimized the allocation of railway capacity. The non-commercial "slow-train" and special train for agricultural produce services were launched to ensure passenger travel and cargo transport in poverty-stricken areas. Express lines were made available for supplies needed in disaster relief, public health emergency responses and national defense transport.
Fourth, the foundation for safety was cemented, enabling the rail network to maintain safe and stable operation. We uphold the principle that people's interests come first and life matters most, so that we have sought to promote safe development, and attached great importance to the safe operation of high-speed and express passenger trains. We strengthened risk prevention and the screening of potential safety hazards as well as increased the capacity of equipment technology to guarantee railway safety. We have been urging enterprises to fulfill their primary responsibilities in ensuring safe production and improving the regulatory system for railway safety. We have taken systematic, comprehensive and concerted measures to improve the environment along railway lines. As a result, the network has been able to maintain safe and stable operations. Thank you.