Train slowdown
China's railway expansion may be slowing down for a bit. Although existing construction projects are moving forward as planned, the State Council announced late Wednesday that it would bar approvals of new train construction for the time being.
The announcement was made amid ongoing pubic outcry three weeks after the high-speed train crash that killed 40 people and injured nearly 200 in Wenzhou, on China's east cost. The high-speed train wreck raised news, serious concerns over China's breakneck speed train construction and rampant corruption in the industry. The Railways Minister head was removed months ago amid a massive corruption scandal, but Chinese media and citizens remain concerned that the system is rotten and potentially largely unsafe. The State Council announcement pledged a thorough safety review amid the slowdown.
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