News EnglishAugust 1, 2008 10:38 am

China opens Beijing-Tianjin railway one week ahead of Olympics



The first intercity train between Beijng and Tianjin departs from Beijing South Railway Station for Tianjin, Beijing, capital of China, Aug. 1, 2008. The intercity rail line between Beijing and Tianjin is a high-speed rail. The new train service would cut the 120-km journey from the current 70 minutes to about 30 minutes. (Xinhua/Gong Lei)

    BEIJING, Aug. 1 (Xinhua) — Two official ceremonies were held in Beijing and Olympic co-host city Tianjin on Friday morning, marking the opening of the Beijing-Tianjin Intercity Railway, one week before the Games begin.

    The two opening ceremonies were staged at the cavernous new Beijing South Railway Station and the Tianjin Station, respectively.

    The first train was expected to depart for Tianjin at 12:30 a.m. from the Beijing South Railway Station, Xinhua has learned.

    The Beijing-Tianjin Intercity Railway would be the world’s only rail line on which passenger trains could run at 350 km per hour, said the Chinese Ministry of Railways.

    The new train service would cut the 120-km journey from the current 70 minutes to about 30 minutes. There are five stations along the line: the Beijing South Railway Station, Yizhuang, Yongle, Wuqing and Tianjin.

    The intercity rail line will shuttle spectators, athletes, media people and other passengers between Beijing and Tianjin, which is to host 12 Olympic football matches from Aug. 6 to 15.

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News English 10:35 am

Cambodian King arrives in Beijing for Olympics



Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni (L) and his mother Monineath gesture as they board on a plane at the Phnom Penh International Airport, Cambodia, Aug. 1, 2008. Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni, together with his parents, retired king Norodom Sihanouk and his wife Monineath Sihanouk, left for Beijing on Friday for the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympic Games. (Xinhua/Xia Lin)

    BEIJING, Aug. 1 (Xinhua) — Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni, along with the former King Norodom Sihanouk and the former Queen Norodom Monineath Sihanouk, arrived in Beijing on Friday afternoon for the Olympic Games.

    The Cambodian guests were greeted by Zhang Mao, vice minister of National Development and Reform Commission, and officials from Royal Embassy of Cambodia as the plane landed at 2:50 p.m. at Beijing Capital International Airport.

    "You are old friends of the Chinese people," said Zhang, shaking hands with the Cambodian guests.

    Three Cambodian girls in national costume presented flowers to King Sihamoni, the former King Sihanouk and former Queen Monineath.

    Colonel Chhim Sarom, Defense Counselor in the Cambodian Embassy, told Xinhua that the agenda of the King during their stay in China is as yet unknown.

    China and Cambodia have maintained mutual friendship and cooperation since the two countries established diplomatic relations on July 19, 1958.

    Cambodia will send a 14-member delegation to participate in the upcoming Beijing Olympic Games, including the Cambodian National Olympic Committee President Thong Khon. They will depart for Beijing on Aug. 6 and Aug. 7.

Cambodian retired king Norodom Sihanouk (L) gestures as he boards on a plane at the Phnom Penh International Airport, Cambodia, Aug. 1, 2008.

Cambodian retired king Norodom Sihanouk (L) gestures as he boards on a plane at the Phnom Penh International Airport, Cambodia, Aug. 1, 2008.
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