Home>News Center>China
       
 

Zhejiang official: No maglev link to Shanghai
By Chang Tianle (China Daily)
Updated: 2004-03-11 09:16

An official with the Zhejiang provincial government has denied media reports that a maglev line will be built between Shanghai and Hangzhou, capital city of East China's Zhejiang Province.

Zhejiang official: No maglev link to Shanghai


"We are merely studying possibilities for the high-speed railway. It's far too early to say whether we will adopt conventional technology or maglev technology," said Wang Guoxiang, a section chief of the province's planning commission.

But he conceded that Guangdong Province's decision not to use maglev technology for the rail link between Guangzhou and Zhuhai "more or less had some impact" on their decision-making.

Using traditional instead of maglev technology, Guangzhou is expected to save 15 billion yuan (US$1.8 billion).

Shanghai Maglev Transportation Development Company has recently finished an interim study report on the project, triggering speculation that the technology would be used.

Wang said a proposal on conventional rail was submitted a long time ago, but some data needed updating.

Neither solution has been submitted for approval, he added. The railway is scheduled for completion by 2010.

The maglev system, which cannot be integrated with existing tracks, has been opposed by the Ministry of Railway. As China does not have all the core technologies, there is concern among government officials and academic circles over the system.

With strong support from the central government, especially former premier Zhu Rongji, Shanghai built a maglev line connecting the city centre with Pudong airport, which started commercial operations in January after one year of trials.

The 32-kilometre railway cost about 10 billion yuan (US$1.2 billion) but according to a source familiar with maglev technology, building the railway elsewhere in China would not be so costly.

Many technologies needed for the maglev line can now be developed by domestic scientists; and the land cost will not be as high as in Shanghai.

Another source, who did not want to be named, told China Daily that Shanghai plans to build a 7-kilometre maglev line to connect the existing Longyang station with the World Expo 2010 site.

"Despite the high price, it is important for us to adopt the latest technology, and develop our own at the same time," the source said.



Fire kills 5 in Northeast China
Aerobatics show in Hunan
Final rehearsal
  Today's Top News     Top China News
 

Australia, US, Japan praise China for Asia engagement

 

   
 

Banker: China doing its best on flexible yuan

 

   
 

Hopes high for oil pipeline deal

 

   
 

Possibilities of bird flu outbreaks reduced

 

   
 

Milosevic buried after emotional farewell

 

   
 

China considers trade contracts in India

 

   
  EU likely to impose tax on imports of Chinese shoes
   
  Bankers confident about future growth
   
  Curtain to be raised on Year of Russia
   
  Coal output set to reach record high of 2.5b tons
   
  WTO: China should reconsider currency plan
   
  China: Military buildup 'transparent'
   
 
  Go to Another Section  
 
 
  Story Tools  
   
  Related Stories  
   
Maglev announces service expansion
   
Maglev planned between Shanghai, Hangzhou
Manufacturers, Exporters, Wholesalers - Global trade starts here.
Advertisement