东南沿海，迎来“超级通道”！

Core Viewpoint - The opening of two high-speed rail lines in Guangdong, the Guangzhou-Zhanjiang High-Speed Railway and the Shantou-Shanwei High-Speed Railway, marks a significant advancement in regional connectivity and infrastructure development in China, enhancing economic integration across the province and beyond [2][10][18]. Group 1: High-Speed Rail Details - The Guangzhou-Zhanjiang High-Speed Railway (Guangzhan Railway) will officially open on December 22, 2023, with a total length of 401 kilometers and a design speed of 350 km/h [2][5]. - The Shantou-Shanwei High-Speed Railway (Shanshan Railway) will also commence operations on the same day, covering 162 kilometers and connecting Shantou to Shantou South [5][7]. - Both railways will create a "super corridor" that connects multiple cities, including Shantou, Zhanjiang, Guangzhou, and others, facilitating travel times of approximately 1.5 hours to Guangzhou [18]. Group 2: Economic and Regional Development - The construction of these railways addresses regional development disparities in Guangdong, where the Pearl River Delta (PRD) region accounts for 81.5% of the province's GDP, while the eastern and western regions lag behind [13][14]. - The development aims to enhance the economic capabilities of Shantou and Zhanjiang, which are designated as provincial sub-center cities, and to promote overall growth in the eastern Guangdong region [16][18]. - The railways are part of a broader strategy outlined in the "14th Five-Year Plan" to create new growth poles in the eastern and western regions, linking them with the PRD [16][19]. Group 3: Engineering and Technical Achievements - The Shantou Bay Undersea Tunnel, part of the Shanshan Railway, is noted for its engineering challenges, including high water pressure and complex geological conditions, marking significant technical achievements in railway construction [11][12]. - The tunnel is recognized as the world's first high-speed railway undersea tunnel with a single bore and dual tracks designed for speeds of 350 km/h, showcasing advancements in railway engineering [12][10]. Group 4: Future Developments - The completion of these railways is expected to enhance connectivity with other regions, including the construction of additional high-speed rail lines such as the YQG Railway and the Hainan Railway, further integrating Guangdong with neighboring provinces [21][22][25]. - Future projects aim to extend the "super corridor" to connect with key economic areas, enhancing the overall transportation network in southern China [27][19].