The project is being implemented as public-private partnership, led by the National Development and Reform Comission. The line is scheduled for completion in 2021.

Journey times will be cut between the two cities from 2h 30min to 1h, and passengers can utilise the new line to transfer to Beijing and southern China’s Guangdong province.

The line is part of China’s five-year plan for an integrated transport system which began in 2016. By 2020, China’s high-speed railway is expected to reach around 30,000km of track, connecting over 80 cities.