Nation on track for world's largest subway

China will soon surpass other countries in the combined length of its subway systems, which is expected to reach 8,500 kilometers by 2020, Minister of Transport Yang Chuantang said on Thursday in Beijing.

Nineteen cities have recently extended their metro systems, with total mileage expected to hit 3,000 km by the end of the year, the minister said.

Public transit, especially the subway, has had a major effect on easing congestion in Beijing, and the government will inject more funding to promote its development, said Dai Junliang, deputy mayor of Beijing.