The Guiyang-Nanning High-Speed Rail, running through Hechi in Guangxi, will begin construction by the end of this year, according to the Hechi development and reform commission on March 10.

The high-speed rail is a key project to help implement the Belt and Road Initiative. It will link the capitals of Guizhou province and Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, two significant regions in Southwest China, improving local economic development.

The total distance of the high-speed rail will be 513 kilometers, including 292 kilometers in Guangxi and 170 kilometers in Hechi. The project's gross investment is estimated to be 79.8 billion yuan ($12.29 billion), with 41 billion yuan invested in Guangxi and 25 billion yuan invested in Hechi.

The line is expected to take six years to complete and upon opening, will cut travel times significantly between the two cities.

The preliminary work on the Guiyang-Nanning High-Speed Rail line has almost been completed as of the end of February this year, with the project just waiting for the final seal of approval from the National Development and Reform Commission, before construction of the whole line begins.

Edited by Owen Fishwick