ZHENGZHOU, China, Feb. 6 (UPI) -- Chinese authorities said Saturday the Zhengzhou-Xi'an high-speed railway system began service with a journey between the cities of Xi'an and Zhengzhou.
Xi'an Railway Bureau head Long Jing said the train was able to reach speeds of up to 217 mph during the journey. China's official state-run Xinhua news agency said the train is the first high-speed railway to operate in central and western China.
Long said as part of the new railway system, a total of 14 trains would be traveling between Zhengzhou and Xi'an daily.
Zhengzhou Railway Bureau spokesman Niu Jianfeng said the railway system was built at a cost of $5.17 billion as part of a railway network plan by China.
Xinhua said Ministry of Railways spokesman Wang Yongping lauded the new system, saying it will prove beneficial to both companies and individuals.
"The Zhengzhou-Xi'an high-speed railway will meet the growing demand of passenger and cargo transportation in central and western China, and help promote local development," Wang said.
