China to expand urban rail network in stimulus programme

BEIJING - A National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) official has said China will expand city rail networks to 3,000 km by 2015 and to 6,000 km by 2020, with combined investment of RMB 3-4 trillion. Local bureaus in more than 10 cities have granted approvals to build or extend local urban rail networks in recent months, and 36 cities have approved plans to build subways. In 2013 alone, investment in China’s rail network will expand by RMB40 billion from last year to RMB220 billion.