The Expanding High-Speed Rail Economy of China

The opening of the high-speed rail link between Hong Kong and the mainland has once again brought the economic benefits of this new age technology into the limelight. A long way since 1876, when the first commercial train was launched in China, this new catalyst for continued economic growth is gradually becoming the norm. The network is changing China in many ways. Like railway towns that sprouted along the tracks in 19th century Britain and America, urban growth in China too is following the rail lines. Offices, residential areas and shopping districts which were non-existent only a decade back, are mushrooming as lines continue to be built. Δ A passenger takes a selfie with G5711, the first high-speed train from Shenzhen to Hong Kong, at Shenzhen North Railway Station in Shenzhen city, south China’s Guangdong province, Sept. 23, 2018. [Photo/Xinhua] Adjacent to congested commercial cities, where house prices are comparatively high, bullet trains have created new satellite towns. All the amenities of large metropolises are available to these towns through their fast transport links. Local governments find it especially helpful to efficiently manage large, but not oversized cities. This high-speed railway network has resulted in the creation of business opportunities. It is an extensive eco-system that is generating profits not merely through the sale of tickets but through its overall […]