TEST running is now in full swing on the 681km high-speed line connecting the Chinese capital Beijing with Zhengzhou.

KYRGYZSTAN Railways' (KTZ) director general Mr Argyhbek Malabaev says that the railway is aiming to complete a final comprehensive feasibility study by the end of 2013 for a new cross-country electrified line that will open up the country to transit traffic between China, the Persian Gulf and Europe.

CHINA's National Development and Reform Commission has approved plans for new metro lines in the cities of Nanchang and Fuzhou at a total cost of more than Yuan 30bn ($US 4.8bn).

THE Chinese city of Hangzhou launched commercial operations on its first metro line on November 24, when the governor of Zhejiang province Mr Xia Baolong officially inaugurated the 48km Line 1 in a ceremony at Wulin Square station.

CONSTRUCTION of a 418km standard-gauge line linking the Laotian capital Vientiane with the Chinese network could begin next year, according to local media reports.

BEIJING MTR Corporation, a joint venture company comprising MTR Corporation, Beijing Infrastructure Investment Corporation and Beijing Capital Group commenced a concession agreement with the Beijing municipal government on November 6 for a public-private partnership for part B of the Beijing Metro Line 14 project.

THE first container train with a CIM/SMGS common consignment note was despatched by Russian Railways Logistics (RZDL) in cooperation with its Chinese subsidiary YuXinOu Logistics on October 31.

THE global railway track system market remains on course for steady growth despite the budget crisis in the Euro zone and the slowdown in upgrades in China, according to the latest market study by German consultancy group, SCI Verkehr.

A 10-year agreement was signed in Beijing on October 17 between AnsaldoBreda and China Northern Rolling Stock subsidiary CNR Dalian licensing the Italian company's Sirio low-floor LRV for production in China.

CHINA has opened its second high-speed line in three weeks with the launch of commercial services on October 16 on the 131km line between Hefei and Bengbu in the eastern province of Anhui.