Qinghai-Tibet railway breaks new record

cctv.com 08-25-2005 11:16

A pair of railway tracks were added to the Qinghai-Tibet railway yesterday morning, and also moved the project into the history books. At five thousand meters, they became the highest rail tracks in the world. The tracks were laid in the Tanggula Mountain Pass in Tibet's Amdo region. They are 255 meters higher than the century old record previously held by Peru for a railway that passes across the Andes mountain range to the Pacific Ocean. The Qinghai-Tibet railway project began in June 2001, and is a cornerstone of the government's efforts to develop the country's western regions. The rail link will stimulate the development of Tibet's communications and tourism sectors by promoting economic and cultural exchanges between the region and other parts of China. The railway is scheduled for completion next July.

Editor:Wang Ping  Source:CCTV.com