China will continue to improve its transport infrastructure network and transport services this year to boost its transport strength, with more efforts focused on technological innovation and promoting the intelligent and green development of transportation, according to the Ministry of Transport.
More work will be done to improve the quality and expand the scope of the transport network on the basis of 424 pilot projects, said the ministry.
Projects such as the China-Europe Railway Express and the China-Europe Land-Sea Express Line will also be accelerated to construct a three-dimensional and interconnected network under the Belt and Road Initiative.
Since 2019, outlines on building China's strength in transportation and national comprehensive three-dimensional transportation network have been issued, marking that the construction of a country with great transport strength has been elevated to a national strategic level.
In order to achieve that goal, China has continuously improved its planning and policy system, enhanced implementation mechanisms, adhered to the principle of starting with pilots, deepened reforms in the transportation system, promoted innovation-driven development, and expanded the scale of effective investment.
"The implementation of these outlines has continuously improved the coverage of transportation network, and significantly enhanced the quality and efficiency of transportation services. Major indicators such as railway and highway passenger and freight turnover, waterway transportation, civil aviation, cargo throughput at ports, and postal and express delivery services have ranked among the top in the world for multiple years. This has effectively promoted the smooth flow of both domestic and international circulation," said Li Yutao, an official in charge of policy management at the National Development and Reform Commission.
According to the latest data, from January to February, China's fixed asset investment in transportation reached 388.5 billion yuan (about 53.68 billion U.S. dollars).
Among them, investment in railway sector reached 65.2 billion yuan (about 9.01 billion U.S. dollars), a year-on-year growth of 9.4 percent. Investment in civil aviation reached 22.4 billion yuan (about 3.09 billion U.S. dollars), marking a significant increase of 140.6 percent compared to the same period last year.
Major indicators such as passenger flow, freight volume, and cargo throughput at ports have also saw rapid growth in the period.
China expands transport network to facilitate high-quality development
The year 2024 celebrates the 60th anniversary of China-France diplomatic ties, and it also heralds the China-France Year of Cultural Tourism, a celebration aimed at bolstering cultural and people-to-people exchanges through a series of enriching events.
During a special episode focused on this milestone, cultural experts and influencers from both nations shared insights into the depth of Sino-French cultural interactions.
The discussion, livestreamed from Shanghai on April 22, began with a historical overview, notably when then-Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai introduced President Georges Pompidou to the Yungang Grottoes, a renowned Buddhist cave site in north China's Shanxi. These caves feature intricate carvings that reflect religious and cultural syntheses from the 5th and 6th centuries.
David Gosset, founder of the China-Europe-America Global Initiative, commented on the geopolitical context of the initial outreach.
"People have to remember that we were in the middle of the Cold War, therefore, the world was divided. For a Western country like France to reach out to China, and of course vice versa, it's a beautiful moment, historical diplomatic breakthroughs, means that despite all the geopolitical difficulties, a spirit of cooperation and friendship can prevail," said Gosset.
Xie Dingwei, executive director of the Bund One Art Museum, emphasized the importance of preserving cultural heritage.
"We need to preserve these cultural heritages. We not [just] preserve the sculptures or the buildings itself, but also, it gives us a chance to see hundreds of years ago, how our craftsmanship, our architecture, our human beings, we have reached [such] high levels, which brings us to the present time these treasures, these values. This is something we really cannot afford to lose. Culture is a common language; it doesn't matter you're Eastern art or Western art, somehow they can be connected. So this is something I think it creates a communication channel between the nations," said Xie.
The cultural connection was recently demonstrated during a meeting last April between French President Emmanuel Macron and Chinese President Xi Jinping, where they enjoyed the performance of "Flowing Water" played on the Guqin by a Chinese artist, symbolizing the flowing friendship between the two nations.
"This communication on art subjects between the nations and different peoples are really, really important. It goes beyond politics, beyond the differences between the nations. But you all go to getting closer to understanding each other," said Xie.
Gosset also supported the notion of fostering unity through cultural platforms, aligning with President Xi Jinping's idea of building a community with a shared future.
"I am completely aligned with this idea. We are on the same boat. Our world is frightened by too many divisions. And I think, what is important is to support the forces that can unite us, so it can be music, and certainly museums, and you need leaders with a vision that does not separate us," said Gosset.
Six decades of China-France diplomatic relations highlighted by cultural exchange
