Yangtze River Delta railways handle record 890 million passengers in 2024

The rail network in east China's Yangtze River Delta handled a record 890 million passengers in 2024, a 10-percent increase from 2023, as new high-speed rail lines enhanced regional connectivity, cutting travel times across Shanghai, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Anhui to under three hours, according to railway authorities on Thursday.

The expansion of high-speed rail lines has been a key driver behind the growth, with four new lines -- Chizhou-Huangshan, Hangzhou-Wenzhou, Xuancheng-Jixi, and Shanghai-Suzhou-Huzhou -- making the region one of China's most connected.

The network now covers over 15,000 kilometers, including more than 7,700 kilometers of high-speed rail, ensuring seamless travel between major cities.

Shanghai Hongqiao Station, one of China's busiest, saw up to 737 high-speed trains daily, with a peak of 412,800 passengers on its busiest day in 2024.

The rail system has also embraced a flexible, market-driven model, optimizing schedules to meet passenger needs.

The number of daily trains between Shanghai and Nanjing has increased to 649, with departures every two minutes during peak hours. Similarly, commuter services from Suzhou to Shanghai have grown, with 20 early-morning trains, nearly all fully booked.

The Yangtze River Delta's rail network continues to meet diverse travel demands, offering a combination of high-speed and regular trains, ensuring efficient and reliable connections across the region.

Yangtze River Delta railways handle record 890 million passengers in 2024

China's top political advisor Wang Huning has met with delegates attending the 11th national congress of the Taoist Association of China, which was held on Monday and Tuesday in Beijing.

Wang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference National Committee, stressed the importance of implementing the Party's basic policy on religious affairs, and of guiding followers and key figures of Taoism to contribute to the country's modernization drive.

Wang urged the association to exercise full and rigorous governance over the religion, intensify efforts to raise awareness of the rule of law, and foster an image of a Taoist community that is patriotic and devoted to the faith, maintains good conduct, abides by the law, and upholds Taoist precepts.

He encouraged the association to cultivate talent proficient in both canonical teachings and fine traditional Chinese culture, and to expand global exchange in Taoism.

At the national congress, the association adopted a revised charter, as well as a set of religious rules and regulations, and elected new leadership.

Top political advisor meets with Chinese Taoist delegates