高铁冲刺，谁在“狂飙”？

Core Insights - The newly constructed Yuxia High-Speed Railway from Chongqing East to Qianjiang has officially entered the trial operation phase and is expected to open in the first half of this year, marking it as the first high-speed rail line to be inaugurated this year [1][2] - In the first quarter of this year, national railway investment reached 131.2 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 5.2%, surpassing the growth rate of national fixed asset investment by 0.9 percentage points, indicating a strong push in major infrastructure projects as the "14th Five-Year Plan" approaches its conclusion [1][8] - A total of at least 14 high-speed rail projects are anticipated to be operational within the year, collectively spanning nearly 3,000 kilometers, with significant contributions from provinces like Liaoning and Guizhou achieving the "city-to-city high-speed rail" goal [1][2][11] Investment and Economic Impact - The railway investment growth rate is higher than the national fixed asset investment growth rate, making it a crucial driver for economic growth [8][19] - From 2020 to 2024, the new railway lines put into operation are projected to reach 4,933 kilometers, with high-speed rail accounting for 2,521 kilometers in 2020 and gradually decreasing in subsequent years [8][11] - The completion of 14 high-speed rail projects this year is expected to significantly increase the newly operational high-speed rail mileage compared to last year [11][19] Regional Development and Connectivity - The current high-speed rail construction wave emphasizes regional coordination and network enhancement, with projects like the Yangtze River High-Speed Railway strengthening the economic belt and promoting a new development pattern [12][16] - The completion of the Xiyan High-Speed Railway will end the history of Fushun not having high-speed rail, making Liaoning the first province to achieve "city-to-city high-speed rail" status this year [17][18] - The "city-to-city high-speed rail" initiative is expected to accelerate the flow of resources and talent to underdeveloped areas, enhancing local economies and tourism [18] Future Outlook - The National Railway Group plans to implement a strong network and chain action to scientifically and orderly advance railway planning and construction, ensuring the completion of the "14th Five-Year Plan" goals [22] - Major provinces like Guangdong, Zhejiang, Shandong, and others are actively planning significant investments in transportation infrastructure, with projected investments reaching billions of yuan [21][22] - The opening of high-speed rail lines is anticipated to have a substantial impact on local economies, although past issues such as remote stations and insufficient passenger flow need to be addressed for sustainable development [22]