East-west link dramatically cuts travel time for commuters

Saturday's opening of a new high-speed railway connecting two major existing lines in China is expected to benefit thousands of travelers across the country.

The new east-west line links Zhengzhou, Henan province, with Xuzhou, Jiangsu province, at roughly the midpoint of the two north-south lines - the Beijing-Guangzhou railway and the Beijing-Shanghai railway.

Zhu Xinhua, a frequent rail traveler, was one of the first passengers to experience the new line. And he was thrilled.