China expands transport routes

China has built the world's largest network of high-speed railways and expressways within the past ten years, said Wang Xianjin, a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, the country's top political advisory body.

China has also continued to deepen its cooperation in transport with other countries in the past decade, with its international influence significantly increasing, said Wang, who is also vice-president of the China Academy of Transportation Sciences.

He made the remarks at an event held on Tuesday in Beijing by the CPPCC National Committee for its members to deliver speeches to share China's achievements since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China in 2012.

By the end of 2021, China had 150,000 kilometers of railways in operation, 40,000 kilometers of high-speed railways, 5.28 million kilometers of highways, and 169,000 kilometers of expressways, according to him.

China's high-speed railway and expressway networks cover more than 95 percent of cities with a population of more than 200,000, he said.

Wang said that the China-Europe freight trains reach 24 European countries and the country's international road transport cooperation has been extended to 19 countries.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, China-Europe freight trains and ocean-going ships have played a great role in ensuring the stability of the global industrial and supply chains, which demonstrated China's sense of responsibility, he said.

During the conference on Tuesday, another four CPPCC National Committee members also gave speeches on the South-to-North Water Diversion Project, high-quality development of manufacturing industry, China's cultural construction and educational reform.

The event was the second one of a series of activities held this year by the CPPCC National Committee for political advisers from different sectors to share their experience.