Construction of an 8.55-kilometer-long experimental section of Guangzhou's third subway will start late this year, said sources from Guangzhou Subway Corp.

The entire subway will extend from Guangzhou East Railway Station to the Panyu District. It will be 35.75 kilometers and will have 18 stops.

The experimental section of the subway will have five stops and traverse the Pearl River Delta twice.

The subway, with a maximum speed of 120 kilometer per hour, is expected to be ready for service in 2007. It will cost an estimated 15.9 billion yuan (US$1.92 billion).

(Eastday.com.cn 05/21/2001)