CHONGQING

Underwater fast-train tunnel work kicks off

Construction began on the Chongqing Yangtze River tunnel of the Chongqing-Hunan high-speed railway on Wednesday, railway developer Yuqian Railway Co announced. The company said it will be China's longest underwater tunnel designated for high-speed rail. The tunnel, which will run through the Yuzhong and Nan'an districts of Chongqing, will be 11.9 kilometers long and have a maximum depth of 330 meters. Trains will run up to 120 km/h. The railway is expected to operate in 2025.

HEBEI

Railway linking Beijing, Xiong'an begins tests

Test runs began on Wednesday on the high-speed railway line linking Beijing Daxing International Airport in the capital's Daxing district with neighboring Xiong'an New Area in Hebei province. The 60.65-kilometer line starts at the Daxing airport, passes Gu'an East Railway Station and Bazhou North Railway Station in Langfang, Hebei, and ends at Xiong'an Railway Station in Xiongxian county of Xiong'an. It is designed for speeds of up to 350 km/h. The line is expected to be open to the public by year's end.

SHANGHAI

New carrier rocket can be viewed at fair event

Spacecraft enthusiasts can catch a glimpse of a newly developed commercial Chinese rocket at the ongoing China International Industry Fair in Shanghai. The medium-sized carrier rocket was developed by the Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology affiliated to the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation. It is 59 meters long, with a takeoff thrust of about 500 metric tons and a takeoff weight of about 430 tons.

BEIJING

Daxing airport opens city terminal in Hebei

Beijing Daxing International Airport has opened a city terminal in Gu'an county, Hebei province, allowing residents of Gu'an and the surrounding area to complete check-in procedures ahead of time and with minimal fuss. Gu'an City Terminal is located just 10 kilometers from the airport's main facility and covers nearly 500 square meters, according to Wang Hui, director of operation planning at Daxing's terminal management department. Having checked in, passengers are transported to the airport by a shuttle bus, a journey of just 40 minutes. The bus leaves every 20 to 30 minutes and costs 20 yuan ($3) a ride.

QINGHAI

Suspect caught in '94 killing of wildlife hero

A man surnamed Ma, who is suspected of being involved in the killing of a wildlife protection hero 26 years ago, was arrested recently through the joint efforts of police in Qinghai province and the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region. The victim, Sonam Darje, was fatally shot by a poacher in 1994 as his team was escorting a group of detained poachers in the Hoh Xil Reserve.

Xinhua - China Daily