国家发展改革委新闻发言人答记者问

Core Viewpoint - The National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) has issued the "Opinions on Promoting the Healthy and Sustainable Development of Intercity Railways," marking the first official document focused on intercity railways, aimed at enhancing policy guidance and support for higher quality and sustainable development in this sector [2][6]. Group 1: Background and Importance - Intercity railways are a crucial transportation mode within urban agglomerations, significantly supporting regional strategies and new urbanization efforts. The development of intercity railways has led to the formation of a backbone network nearing 1,800 kilometers, facilitating 1 to 2-hour travel between major cities in key urban clusters [1][2]. - The document aligns with major decisions from the 20th National Congress, emphasizing the need for independent operations in natural monopoly sectors and market-oriented reforms in competitive segments, thereby guiding the future development of intercity railways [2][3]. Group 2: Key Guidelines - The document outlines five clear directives for intercity railway planning and construction: 1. Function Positioning: Intercity railways are designated as the primary passenger transport mode between key cities, focusing on short to medium-distance travel needs. It prohibits the use of intercity railway designations for high-speed rail or urban transit projects [3]. 2. Standard Conditions: New intercity railways must have a minimum dual-direction passenger flow of 15 million trips per year. Projects with insufficient demand after five years of operation will be paused, and new lines should generally be at-grade with speeds between 120-200 km/h [3][4]. 3. Implementation Procedures: Planning must be coordinated among provincial departments, with projects requiring pre-feasibility studies and adherence to approval processes [4]. 4. Regulatory Requirements: The National Railway Administration will oversee industry supervision, ensuring local governments are accountable for quality and safety. New projects must have at least 50% capital funding from local governments, and projects failing to achieve cash flow balance after ten years will be halted [4]. 5. Management System: A national coordination mechanism will be established, involving multiple departments to ensure effective implementation of intercity railway development [4]. Group 3: Operational Guidelines - The document emphasizes comprehensive management of intercity railway operations, highlighting three main operational orientations: 1. Utilization of Existing Resources: Encourages collaboration between local governments and railway companies to maximize the use of existing railway capacity for intercity services [5]. 2. Diverse Operating Entities: Supports various operational models, including delegated and self-operated services, ensuring fair negotiations between railway companies and local governments [5]. 3. People-Centric Approach: Aims to enhance convenience and efficiency in operations, optimizing ticketing and station processes while promoting interoperability among different transport systems [5]. Group 4: Future Actions - The NDRC will collaborate with relevant departments to ensure the effective implementation of the document, focusing on enhancing comprehensive management and promoting the sustainable development of intercity railways [6].