According to a work conference of China Railway (CR) held on Jan. 3, China's high-speed railway mileage reached 22,000 kilometers by the end of 2016, with total railway mileage of 124,000 kilometers.

General manager Lu Dongfu of CR noted that the company has significantly expanded its network in central and western China to 95,000 kilometers, or 76.6 percent of the total. In addition, 12 railroads for poverty relief are currently under construction, with an investment of 23.4 billion RMB ($33.6 billion).

Investment in the railway industry in 2017 will be maintained at the current level. CR plans to construct 2,100 kilometers of new rails, 2,500 kilometers of double tracks and 4,000 kilometers of electrified rails in 2017.