According to a report in China Daily on February 7, 2026
BEIJING — China’s railway sector demonstrated robust investment and expansion in 2025, reinforcing the country’s broader infrastructure-led economic growth strategy, according to data from China State Railway Group.
Fixed-asset investment in the railway industry reached 901.5 billion yuan ($126.8 billion) last year, marking a 6 percent increase compared with 2024. The nation also commissioned 3,109 kilometers of new railway lines, including 2,862 km of high-speed rail, underscoring the sector’s role in enhancing connectivity and regional integration.
“The ongoing expansion of railway infrastructure is not just a transport project — it’s a strategic economic lever,” said an investment analyst at China Galaxy Securities. “By linking urban centers with rural areas and integrating high-speed rail with existing highway networks, China is creating a more efficient and resilient transportation ecosystem.”
The momentum builds on the foundation laid during the first four years of the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021–25), when annual railway investment ranged from 710.9 billion yuan to 850.6 billion yuan. These projects are part of a long-term strategy to improve inter-regional connectivity and facilitate economic modernization.
In Jiangsu province, the Haimen–Taicang Yangtze River Tunnel illustrates the country’s integrated infrastructure approach. China Railway 24th Bureau Group recently completed the installation of 502 box girders over active railway lines, linking the tunnel to the urban network. Once operational, the tunnel will reduce cross-Yangtze River travel time to just 10 minutes, while connecting highways and railways for seamless transit.
Experts note that such projects not only enhance passenger and cargo efficiency but also stimulate urban-rural coordination and regional economic cooperation, creating multiplier effects across local economies.
Looking ahead, continued railway investment is expected to further optimize China’s transport network, strengthen logistics efficiency, and provide a critical backbone for sustained high-quality economic growth.