China expands regional connectivity with new rail link to Vietnam border city

China on Thursday opened a new high-speed rail link connecting cities in the southern Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, with the new route completing a fast passenger corridor running from the regional capital Nanning all the way to the China-Vietnam border.

The new line, running between the cities of Chongzuo and Pingxiang, is expected to cut travel times, boost regional connectivity and support economic cooperation with China's partners in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

The first train departed from Pingxiang East Station at 10:18 on Friday, stopping at several new stations before arriving at Nanning East Station 93 minutes later. The new route offers great convenience and slashes travel time for Guangxi locals.

"Everyone is very excited. Now we can get from Pingxiang to Nanning in about an hour and a half. Driving ourselves would take at least two and a half hours," said one passenger.

The project was one of the key development aims included in China's 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025), which called for improved connectivity with neighboring countries.

Located in southwest Guangxi, the route links Nanning with the border port city of Pingxiang. Its first segment, stretching from Nanning to Chongzuo, opened in December 2022.

The newly launched 80-kilometer section begins at Chongzuo South and ends at Pingxiang East, with trains operating at speed of 250 kilometers per hour.

"At the start of operations, four round-trip high-speed trains will run daily. From Pingxiang East, passengers can reach major Guangxi cities including Nanning, Liuzhou, Guilin and Beihai. The fastest Nanning-Pingxiang trip now takes 75 minutes, trimming 178 minutes from the current regular service," said Su Shixiong, deputy station chief at Pingxiang East.

The full opening of the line will further improve Guangxi's railway network and better support the development of the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area, a comprehensive free trade agreement between China and the 10 ASEAN member states.

China expands regional connectivity with new rail link to Vietnam border city

China and Russia have agreed to resolutely safeguard the outcomes of the victory of World War II, safeguard world peace and security, and uphold historical truth and international justice, Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said at a press conference in Beijing on Friday.

In response to a related media query, Lin briefed the press on the outcomes of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi's visit to Russia and the 20th round of China-Russia strategic security consultation earlier this week.

"This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the Soviet Union's Great Patriotic War. The two heads of state attended commemorations in each other's country, and agreed to firmly safeguard the outcomes of the victory of World War II and resolutely oppose any retrogressive acts attempting to whitewash colonial aggression, sending a powerful message for upholding justice and fairness in the current era," Lin noted.

"During the recent China-Russia strategic security consultation, the two sides conducted strategic alignment on issues related to Japan, reaching a high degree of consensus. Both sides agreed to resolutely safeguard the outcomes of the victory of World War II won at the cost of lives and blood, firmly oppose any erroneous words and deeds that attempt to whitewash the history of colonial aggression, and resolutely counter any attempts to revive fascism or Japanese militarism. Both sides stressed that China and Russia, as major countries and permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, will shoulder their shared responsibility to safeguard world peace and security, and uphold historical truth and international justice," said the spokesman.

"We stand ready to continue coordinating and cooperating with Russia to resolutely curb the provocative acts of Japan's far-right forces that undermine regional peace and stability and attempt to remilitarize," Lin said.

China, Russia agree to resolutely safeguard outcomes of World War II victory: spokesman