Railway reform 'a step forward', but success not guaranteed

The institutional restructuring and functional transformation plan released on Sunday has tolled the bell for the colossal Ministry of Railways, marking the end of the last ministry under the State Council that had both administrative and commercial functions.

Yet, whether the reform will succeed depends on the following measures, which are still unclear, experts said.

According to the plan, the ministry's administrative powers will be incorporated into the Ministry of Transport. They include planning railway development, drafting railway technical standards and supervising the railways' operation safety and construction quality.