Plans to increase speeds on the nation’s railway network for the sixth time have been thwarted, the railways minister said on Wednesday.

The massive acceleration project, which had been scheduled for October this year, remains uncertain due to technical difficulties, said Liu Zhijun at the opening of the ministry's national conference in Beijing.

"The ministry cannot set a timetable for the project, at least in 2005," Liu said. He said the ministry has set this year as "a preparatory period" instead.

The last railway speed increase was launched on April 18 last year, with speeds on major lines raised to 160 kilometers per hour.

This cut travel time between Beijing and Shanghai, two of the largest cities in China, from 14 to 12 hours.

"Compared with the last speed-improvement project, this one involves more complicated technology and will become more difficult to operate," Liu said.

According to the plan, there would be more than 22,000 kilometers of railway with speeds above 120 kilometers per hour. Of these, 5,300 kilometers will have speeds of 200 kilometers per hour, including passenger lines such as Beijing to Shanghai, Beijing to Harbin and Lanzhou to Lianyungang.

Facing a host of new problems, the ministry has organized experts to complete related research, while regulations on railway management have also been upgraded, Liu said.

In the meantime, technical staff and managers are being trained to use the advanced trains introduced last year from foreign countries, according to the minister.

Investment in building railways this year will be 100 billion yuan (US$12 billion), almost double that of 2004, said Liu.

The ministry will launch 58 new projects and continue 48 projects from last year, involving the building of 714 kilometers of new lines, 523 kilometers of double track lines and 875 kilometers of electric rail routes.

Liu said his ministry will widen its financing channels to attract more capital from local governments, private businesses and overseas investment.

Moreover, they will seek more support from government bonds to build more railways in western and northeastern areas, Liu said.

According to the ministry's estimates, this year the railway network will handle a total of 1.15 billion passengers, and 2.7 billion tons of cargo, a jump of 200 million tons.

Railway departments are preparing for massive passenger flows during Spring Festival, or Chinese new year, which falls on February 9 this year, when a large population of migrant workers, college students and others will travel home by rail.

During the 40-day Spring Festival travel period from February 1, ticket prices will increase by 15 to 20 percent, according to the type of seat.

(China Daily January 13, 2005)