PROBLEMS OF MODERNIZATION OF HIGH-SPEED RAILWAYS AND INFRASTRUCTURE IN CHINA

ПРОБЛЕМЫ МОДЕРНИЗАЦИИ ВЫСОКОСКОРОСТНЫХ ЖЕЛЕЗНЫХ ДОРОГ И ИНФРАСТРУКТУРЫ В КИТАЕ

Бацекин Максим Владимирович

студент, специальность подвижной состав железных дорог, Ростовский государственный университет путей сообщения,

РФ, г. Ростов-на-Дону

Симонова Оксана Борисовна

научный руководитель, канд. филос. наук, доц., Ростовский государственный университет путей сообщения,

РФ, г. Ростов-на-Дону

ABSTRACT

The article examines the main problems faced by China in the modernization of high-speed railways. Possible solutions are proposed to ensure the sustainable development of the railway network.

АННОТАЦИЯ

В статье рассматриваются основные проблемы, с которыми сталкивается Китай при модернизации высокоскоростных железных дорог. Предлагаются возможные пути решения для обеспечения устойчивого развития железнодорожной сети.

Keywords: High-speed railways, infrastructure, modernization.

Ключевые слова: Высокоскоростные железные дороги, инфраструктура, модернизация.

China is a world leader in the field of high-speed railways, having the longest network that spans thousands of kilometers and connects the country's major cities. However, despite the successes, the modernization of this infrastructure faces a number of serious challenges. One of the main challenges of modernizing high-speed railways in China is the high cost of construction and operation. Investments in the construction of new routes often exceed projected budgets, which increases the burden on state and local budgets. In addition, maintenance of existing lines requires significant financial resources, especially in regions with harsh climatic conditions. Development is accompanied by serious environmental challenges. The construction of new railway lines can lead to the destruction of natural ecosystems, deforestation and the relocation of the local population. This is especially true in mountainous regions and areas with unique flora and fauna. Sustainable development requires finding solutions that minimize environmental damage. The modernization of high-speed railways is concentrated mainly in economically developed regions such as the east and south coasts of China. However, the inner and western regions of the country remain insufficiently covered by high-speed infrastructure, which increases economic inequality between the regions and limits their growth potential. Intensive operation of high-speed lines leads to rapid deterioration of railway tracks, equipment and rolling stock. This requires regular maintenance, which increases operating costs. In addition, the outdated infrastructure built at the beginning of the large-scale development of high-speed railways requires modernization to meet modern standards. Although high-speed railways play a key role in China's economy, the profitability of these projects remains a challenge. In many cases, the lines do not pay off due to the high cost of tickets, which makes them inaccessible to some categories of the population. This creates a financial burden on operators and government agencies responsible for infrastructure management. Modernization requires the introduction of advanced technologies such as automatic train control systems, improved materials for construction and environmentally friendly energy sources. However, the integration of new technologies faces challenges related to their high cost, the need for staff retraining, and technical difficulties. To solve these problems, China can focus on the following measures: the introduction of innovative technologies to reduce energy consumption and reduce carbon dioxide emissions; expanding subsidies for underdeveloped regions and developing in less affluent parts of the country; using environmentally friendly materials and construction technologies; attracting private investors to share the financial burden; updating existing routes to improve their safety and efficiency. High-speed railways play an important role in China's economic and social development. However, successful modernization of this infrastructure requires addressing a number of serious challenges, including financial sustainability, environmental issues, and technological challenges.

Список литературы:

1. China Railway Corporation. (2022). Annual Report on High-Speed Rail Development in China. Beijing: China Railway Publishing.
2. World Bank. (2021). High-Speed Railways in China: Lessons from a Global Perspective. Washington, D.C.: The World Bank Group.
3. Liu, X., & Zhang, Y. (2020). "Economic Impacts of High-Speed Rail on Regional Development in China." Journal of Transport Geography