China National Railway Group, the nation's railway operator, said that, currently, the country's HSR network spans about 48,000 kilometers, accounting for 70 percent of the world's total. Expected to surpass 50,000 kilometers by the end of this year, the HSR network is being steadily expanded to better support Chinese modernization,

Sun stressed that as a key construction project of Anhui during the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25) period, the Fuyang-Huaibei HSR is a key component of the intercity railway network in northern Anhui, and its operation will see that Mengcheng and Lixin counties in northern Anhui will be connected by high-speed railway.

"This helps promote the revitalization of industries in northern Anhui, and provides vital support for national strategies such as the integrated development of the Yangtze River Delta region and the rise of China's central regions," Sun said.

The two-day track-laying will witness the extension of 307.91 kilometers of tracks, involving 66 sets of turnouts, he said.

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