Between 1998 and 2004 annual investment averaged Yuan 106 billion, but in 2005 it leapt 59% to 162.3 billion, with a 76% hike in 2006 to 284.4 billion. Last year China invested Yuan 600 billion, up 79% over 2008 levels. "The period from 2010 to 2012 will be key in the modernisation of Chinese Railways," Liu told state radio on January 7. "The industry's development is entering a new phase and will face tough new challenges." By the end of last year China's railway network had grown to 86,000km and by 2012 it is expected to reach 110,000km, of which 13,000km will be high-speed lines. The Ministry of Railways forecasts that the pace of growth will slow beyond 2012, although another 7,000km of conventional lines and 3000km of high-speed lines are planned for construction between 2012 and 2020. More than 80% of the network will be electrified by 2020.