China has extended its main line rail network by a further 345 km with the opening of two new lines. The line from Lijiang to Shangri-La started operation on 26th November 2023 and is part of a high mountain corridor that will eventually connect Kunming with Lhasa in Xizang. The manufacturer CRRC has provided Chinese state railway CR with high-speed trains (HST) of the type Fuxing CR200J, which are specially designed for operation at high altitudes. The 139 km single-track line is designed for speeds of up to 140 km/h. Another main line between Qingbaijiangdong and Zhenjiangguan was opened on 28th November 2023. Construction work began in 2011 and the 206 km line is designed for a speed of 200 km/h.
