China on track to finish world’s ‘most difficult’ railway project before 2030

The world’s “most difficult” railway project is taking shape in rugged southwestern China.The line connecting Dali and border town Ruili in Yunnan province is the first to cut through the Hengduan Mountains, traversing some of the world’s most complex geological and topographical terrains.Running along the country’s southwestern frontier for about 330km (205 miles), the railway is expected to boost China’s links with Southeast Asia.The line is being built in two sections: Dali to Baoshan, and Baoshan to Ruili, a county-level city that serves as a major border crossing with Myanmar.The first section broke ground in 2008 and was completed in 2022. The second half is now expected to be operational within five years, according to state media reports citing local officials.Its completion will mark a milestone for global railway engineering.