BEIJING, Jan. 7 -- Chinese railway police have begun a nationwide inspection on high-speed rails to ensure safety during one of the busiest travel seasons next month.

Railway police will check every high-speed train and carriage in operation and overhaul any possible safety hazards, according to a Tuesday statement from the railway police authorities.

Starting Jan. 16, there will be a 40-day travel rush in China, as most people go home to their families for the Spring Festival, or Chinese Lunar New Year, which falls on Jan. 31.

About 257 million trips will be made on the railways during the period, and high-speed railways will play a big role in carrying passengers, according to the Ministry of Transport.

China's railway network has topped 100,000 km in total track distance, of which more than 10,000 km is high speed.