High Speed Rail to Connect Nine South China Cities

January 12, 2011 Posted by China Briefing Reading Time: 2 minutes

Jan. 12 – Guangdong Province has begun work on the first stages of its ambitious high speed rail link which, when completed by 2020, will possess 10 routes and link the cities of Zhaoqing, Foshan, Jiangmen, Guangzhou, Zhongshan and Zhuhai on the western side of the Pearl River to the eastern Pearl River Delta cities of Dongguan, Shenzhen and Huizhou. The existing links from Hong Kong to Guangzhou and Shenzhen will automatically become part of this network.

The first section, the Zhuhai-Guangzhou spur was opened last week and is the first line of a 1,500 kilometer system that will provide increased inter-connectivity throughout China’s wealthiest province and the heart of its manufacturing industry.

The proposed Hong Kong-Macau-Zhuhai Bridge, which is currently under construction, will also route vehicle traffic from Hong Kong through to the rail network. It will be the first time the cities in the eastern part of Guangdong have been connected via rail to those to the west.

The total project is divided up into three sections; the East Bank, connecting Guangzhou, Dongguan and Shenzhen; the West Line, between Foshan and Zhaoqing; and the Northeast Provincial Line, linking Dongguan and Huizhou. The new link between Zhuhai and Guangzhou has reduced the travelling time from 2.5 hours to just 30 minutes, while fares have been halved in response to the demand.

Dezan Shira & Associates maintains four offices in South China – Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Zhongshan and Hong Kong – and can advise on foreign investment laws and taxes throughout Guangdong Province. Please contact the firm’s South China partner, Alberto Vettoretti at alberto@dezshira.com for assistance.

A detailed overview of South China, including Hong Kong, Macau, and the provinces of Guangdong, Fujian, Guangxi and Hainan, in addition to concise introductions to the cities of Dongguan, Foshan, Fuzhou, Guangzhou, Haikou, Huizhou, Nanning, Shantou, Shenzhen, Xiamen, Zanjiang, Zhaoqing, Zhongshan and Zhuhai. (PDF US$40, 196 pages)

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