1st high-speed rail in Europe built by China

As a landmark project under the Belt and Road Initiative between China and central and eastern European countries, the Belgrade-Novi Sad section of the Hungary-Serbia Railway has been put into operation, providing more convenience to locals. 

Covering two cities in 36 minutes

On March 19, 2022, the Belgrade-Novi Sad section of the Hungary-Serbia Railway officially commenced operations. This new high-speed rail service has cut travel time from over 90 minutes to just over 30 minutes, ushering in the era of high-speed rail for locals.

The historic Hungary-Serbia Railway had been in operation for over a century. However, years of neglect and outdated equipment had reduced the average speed of trains to just 40 kilometers per hour. Following recent upgrades, the maximum speed on the Belgrade-Novi Sad section has now reached 200 kilometers per hour. Tickets can be conveniently purchased through a mobile app, with a round-trip fare costing 962 dinars (about 9 dollars).

For over two years, people between the two Serbian cities have enjoyed the convenience brought by the high-speed rail. The Belgrade-Novi Sad segment of the Hungary-Serbia Railway now operates an average of 62 passenger trains daily, carrying more than 7 million passengers. One local passenger said, "This is an important gift from China to Serbia."

Railway with Chinese features

According to Duan Wei, deputy chief engineer of the Serbia section of the Hungary-Serbia Railway project at China Railway International Co, the construction team spent 10 months finishing a detailed environmental assessment report of over 1300 pages at the start of the project.

For example, before constructing the piers and abutments for the river-crossing railway bridge, a very strict plan was adopted to prevent river pollution and keep the river flowing smoothly. Besides, when the railway line passed through densely populated residential areas, sound barriers were installed to minimize disruption to residents' lives.

"As the first high-speed rail project built by China in Europe, we must pay attention to every detail," said Duan.

The Hungary-Serbia Railway project involves a comprehensive upgrade of old infrastructure, including changing some sections from single-track to double-track and upgrading the train control system. Plus, all online and offline equipment and facilities must comply with EU railway technical standards.

"It's like remodeling a house," said Li Wei, deputy director of the Engineering Department for the Serbia section of the Hungary-Serbia Railway. "We're not tearing it down and rebuilding it from scratch; we're renovating it while ensuring it remains operational."

"There are many factors to consider in this process, from the operators to the residents along the line, and we must do our best to meet everyone's needs." This meticulous approach has earned Chinese railway technology a great reputation in Europe. "The successful operation of the Belgrade-Novi Sad segment over the past two years speaks for itself," Li said.

Railways for international friendship

Milosavljevic, 32, is an engineer on the Hungary-Serbia Railway project. She previously worked at the Serbian Railway Administration and joined the project three years ago for career development. "This is a major project for Serbia, and I feel honored to be a part of it and make it a reality," she said.

"China has advanced and mature high-speed rail technology, as well as experienced engineers, while Serbian engineers are familiar with the country's policies, regulations, and history. Together, we form an ideal team, perfectly complementing one another," Milosavljevic said.

Cheng Zheng, a Chinese engineer, is Milosavljevic's superior, mentor, and good friend. "She is young, technically skilled, an effective communicator, and eager to learn. When this project is completed, we want to continue training her for the long term so that the individual and the company can grow together," Cheng said. On the project, many Serbian engineers and technical personnel have improved their skills through mutual assistance and exchange, jointly driving the project forward.

"Without people-to-people friendship, China and Serbia could not have such deep cooperation," Milosavljevic said. Friendship is about everyday interactions and every moment of sharing; it's part of daily life. The Hungary-Serbia Railway connects not just cities but also friendships between Europeans and Chinese people."

Source: People's Daily; trans-editing by Guo Yao