Beijing rolls out rail transit development plan in 2025

China

Beijing rolls out rail transit development plan in 2025

2025-02-08 03:00 Last Updated At：04:17

Beijing on Friday unveiled its rail transit development plan for 2025 which includes the opening of two new sections and the construction of two new metro lines.

According to the Beijing Major Projects Construction Headquarters Office, a new 7.2-kilometer section of Line 17, connecting its northern and southern segments, will open in 2025, enabling north-south transit through the city.

Additionally, a 2.1-kilometer southward extension of Line 6, an east-west line traversing the city, will also be inaugurated in 2025.

Meanwhile, construction will begin in 2025 on two new lines. The first is Phase 2 of Line 19 which will span 24.2 kilometers with eight stations along the route. The second is the northern section of Phase 1 of Line R4 which will stretch 21.3 kilometers long and include five stations.

"Once Phase 2 of Line 19 is completed, it will create a rapid transit corridor connecting the northwest region of the city with the central area, and will stimulate development in both the northern part of the central urban area and the surrounding satellite towns in the plains. Additionally, the completion and opening of the northern section of Line R4 Phase 1 will further strengthen transportation links between the central urban area and the satellite towns, and enhance the quality of land-based transportation services to the Capital Airport," said Yang Liming, director of the No. 1 department of rail transit under the Beijing Major Projects Construction Headquarters Office.

By 2024, Beijing's total urban rail transit length had reached 879 kilometers, ranking first among Chinese metropolitans.

With the plan in 2025, 54.8 kilometers will be added to Beijing's transit system.

Key Iranian port city on Strait of Hormuz comes to standstill with commercial areas closed

Commercial activities in the southern Iran port city of Bandar Abbas, which sits on the crucial shipping waterway of the Strait of Hormuz, have largely come to a standstill following several days of intense strikes.

Video footage from the city on Wednesday showed mostly deserted streets, as various businesses, including seafood markets and shopping centers, have suspended operations.

Despite the widespread disruption, essential services have continued to function in Bandar Abbas, with chain supermarkets and fruit and vegetable markets remaining open, providing supplies of basic necessities to residents.

The city holds a significant strategic coastal location on the narrow passageway of the Strait of Hormuz, which has drawn global attention after Iran warned it could disrupt transit through this vital waterway in retaliation for U.S.-Israeli strikes.

The developments have sent shockwaves through international markets, particularly as around 20 percent of global oil shipments pass through this critical strait.

Iran said on Wednesday that over 1,000 people have now been killed in the country since U.S.-Israeli strikes began on Saturday.

In a statement published on its official website, Iran's Foundation of Martyrs and Veteran Affairs described the strikes as "aggressive and brutal."

Joint U.S.-Israeli attacks on Tehran and several other Iranian cities starting Saturday morning have resulted in the deaths of Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, his family members, top military commanders, and civilians. Iran has since responded with multiple waves of missile and drone attacks targeting Israel and U.S. assets across the region.