Chinese President Urges Railway Departments to Improve Service

Chinese President Jiang Zemin Wednesday inspected China's first luxury express trains now operating out of Beijing Railway Station.

The trains -- T13/14 and T21/22 -- run between Beijing and Shanghai and are equipped with TVs, bars, sound system and telephones and other items to make soft berth passengers comfortable.

The maximum speed for the trains is 160 km. The trains have had a 95 percent occupancy rate since they were put into operation October 21.

The trains were developed and manufactured by two Chinese vehicle producers, Changchun Passenger Vehicle Co. and Sifang locomotive Plant.

During his tour, President Jiang called on railway departments to continue to improve their service and operation to meet the growing needs of passengers.

Among those officials accompanying the president were Vice-Premier Wu Bangguo and Railway Minister Fu Zhihuan.

( People's Daily November 15, 2001)

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