THE first joint venture railway in China, Jinhua-Wenzhou railway, built by the Ministry of Railways, Zhejiang province, local governments and a Hong Kong investor, will be upgraded to high-speed rail link, Logistics Week reported.

After the upgrade has been finished, the travel time will be shortened to two hours from Hanzhou to Wenzhou, and one hour from Wenzhou to Jinhua.

The upgrade project, costing CNY18 billion (US$2.6 billion) and lasting four years, is jointly invested by Ministry of Railways and Zhejiang government. The railway covers a distance of 188.3 kilometres and will allow speeds of 200 kilometres per hour after completion.

Zhejiang governor Lu Zushan said the upgrade is significant as Jinhua-Wenzhou railway is a major rail line connecting Zhejiang hinterland to the coastal region.