Shenzhen-Shantou high-speed rail service to open in January

The high-speed rail service between Shenzhen city and Shantou city is expected to officially start on Jan 5, linking the two Chinese special economic zones in Guangdong province, which has been considered a window of China's reform and opening-up.

The train journey between Shenzhen, which borders Hong Kong, and the coastal city of Shantou in the eastern part of Guangdong will take about two and a half hours, playing an important role in expanding exchanges and cooperation between the two cities, local railway authorities said.

The Shenzhen-Shantou railway line is part of the Xiamen-Shenzhen railway service, connecting Shenzhen and Xiamen special economic zone in East China's Fujian province. The Xiamen-Shenzhen section was put into operation in 2013.