China's Ministry of Railways says the government is planning to invest in upgrading the railway network in northeast China. The ministry says the network needs to improve in line with the region's economic revival.

The ministry has allocated 400 million yuan (US$50 million), to the Inner Mongolian city of Manzhouli on the border with Russia.
 
It has also allocated 320 million yuan, or US$40 million, for upgrades at Suifenhe in Heilongjiang, also on the border with Russia.

The aim is to double the capacity of these two ports by the year 2008. On major trunk lines in the region, the government wants to increase train traffic speed and capacity.

It also plans to build container handling terminals in Harbin, Shenyang and Dalian.

(CCTV.com November 23, 2003)