Fastest growth in history

Over the next 11 years, China's rail network will expand faster than any rail system in history, reaching a total of 120,000 km.

The 5 trillion yuan ($735 billion) project involves building new rail lines and doubling existing ones. High-speed rail lines, on which fast passenger trains can operate at up to 200 km/h, will also be extended to 50,000 km . Once finished, the network will be accessible to 90 percent of the population by linking all provincial capitals and cities, says Lu Dongfu, vice-minister of railways.

As the global economic slowdown begins to bite, money will be spent faster than planned to help speed flagging growth in China.