China's national railway fixed-asset investment reached 410.2 billion yuan (approximately 57.21 billion U.S. dollars) from January to July 2024, marking a year-on-year growth of 10.5 percent, according to the China State Railway Group.
In July, key railway construction projects continued to make steady progress. The Rizhao-Lankao High-Speed Railway was fully completed and put into operation, significantly reducing travel time between Shandong and the Central Plains urban agglomerations.
Several railway projects, including the Xuancheng-Jixi High-Speed Railway, the Huinong-Yinchuan section of the Baotou-Yinchuan High-Speed Railway, and the Zhenjiangguan-Huangshengguan section of the Chengdu-Xining Railway, began joint testing and commissioning in July.
Hangzhou-Wenzhou High-Speed Railway started trial operations in July.
"China State Railway Group will focus on enhancing railway network connectivity. We will accelerate the construction of major projects such as the Chongqing-Kunming High-Speed Railway, the Shanghai-Chongqing-Chengdu Riverside High-Speed Railway, and the Huangtong-Baise Railway. These efforts aim to continuously improve the interconnectivity of railway infrastructure, providing strong support for the high-quality development of the national economy and society," said Deng Lihong, deputy director of the Development Strategy and Planning Division of the group.
China's railway fixed-asset investment reaches 410 bln yuan from January to July
The lineup for the 2025 Spring Festival movie season was officially revealed on Wednesday with six highly anticipated films set to hit the big screens in China on the first day of the Spring Festival on January 29.
The six films -- Creation of the Gods II: Demon Force, Ne Zha 2, Detective Chinatown 1900, Operation Leviathan, Boonie Bears: Future Return, and The Legend of the Condor Heroes: The Great Hero -- span a range of genres and feature impressive creative teams.
Since pre-sales began on Jan 19, advanced sales for the holiday line-up were the fastest ever to reach 100 million yuan (about 13.8 million U.S. dollars).
At a launch ceremony for the Spring Festival movie season, held at the China National Film Museum in Beijing, the cast of each film highlighted the unique selling points of their movie.
"The viewers will not only uncover the hidden points of plot from the first installment of Creation of the Gods, but also get a real sense of the characters and their evolving relationships through a brand new theme," said Wuershan, director of the movie Creation of the Gods II: Demon Force.
Adapted from the classic Chinese martial arts novel by Jin Yong, The Legend of the Condor Heroes: The Great Hero captures the essence of Chinese chivalry with its portrayal of selfless heroism.
described it as a story with stirring heroism.
"The soul-stirring and awe-inspiring heroic spirit conveyed by the film will be touching, memorable and romantic as well," said Tsui Hark, who directed the film.
The animated film Ne Zha 2 continues the adventures of hero Ne Zha -- a beloved Chinese mythological figure -- with a focus on comedy and spectacular visual effects.
Retaining its signature style, the popular detective series Detective Chinatown 1900 promises twists and turns with big production values and glittering special effects.
As China's first film about nuclear submarines, Operation Leviathan presents a broader underwater battlefield and more complex combat scenarios, offering a unique perspective on naval warfare.
The Great Hero -- the last chapter of the "Boonie Bears" sci-fi series -- combines extreme romance and bold imagination to take viewers on a futuristic adventure.
Different discount and subsidy policies for moviegoers during the Spring Festival were also announced at the launch event with local film authorities across the country organizing special events and promotions to encourage cinema visits.
Supporting institutions, including the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, China UnionPay, Maoyan Entertainment, and Taopiaopia, are expected to provide at least 600 million yuan (about 83 million U.S. dollars) in subsidies for moviegoers during the holiday season.
Six new films set to hit China's big screens on Chinese New Year's Day