How China’s new railway artery bolsters Hong Kong’s ties to the capital, central heartland
Completing a vital transport corridor, the high-speed route aims to accelerate economic integration between southern business hubs and northern megacities
A new high-speed railway section connecting Beijing to Xiongan and central Chinese provinces is poised to begin operations this month, filling a missing link in the 2,370km (1,472-mile) train journey from the nation’s capital to Hong Kong.
By enabling more direct connectivity and train services to and from Hong Kong for northern and central regions, China aims to inject fresh development impetus into the Greater Bay Area – an integrated economic hub linking several southern cities – and inland regions.
The Beijing-to-Hong Kong high-speed line is a combination of individual sections that have gradually become operational over the years, including a link that opened in 2018 and connects Hong Kong and Guangzhou via Shenzhen.
The latest section, which will complete the railway, is from Beijing to the Xiongan New Area – a state-level megacity in Hebei province, as well as a signature project of President Xi Jinping, aimed at relieving urban pressure on the capital. From there, the railway will continue to the central province of Henan and extend into Hong Kong.