China - Tibet railway opens
Saturday, 01 Jul 2006 09:59
China - Tibet railway opens
A new high altitude railway between China and Tibet officially came into operation today.
Officially opened by Chinese President Hu Jintao the Qinghai-Tibet line is now said to be the world's highest railway, reaching 5,072m (16,640ft) at its highest point.
The opening of the 710-mile line has been met with protest and a number of controversies, despite being described as "a magnificent feat by the Chinese people, and also a miracle in world railway history" by Mr Hu.
Environmental concerns have been raised over the railway, which will run through the "delicate" Himalayan environment. Political concerns have also been brought to light over the railway with some critics fearing that China will use the new route to assert control over the Tibetan border region.
BBC News reports that three foreign activists were detained for displaying a banner at Beijing's central railway station with the words: "China's Tibet Railway: Designed to Destroy."
Exiled Tibetan Lhadon Tethong said the railway was a threat to the ancient Tibetan culture. "China plans to use the railway to transport Chinese migrants directly into the heart of Tibet in order to overwhelm the Tibetan population and tighten its stranglehold over our people," he said.
Despite the political opposition over the railway, today's opening has been heralded as a technological marvel for the industry.
Carriages on the £2.1 billion railway line have been fitted with ultra-violet filters and oxygen will be pumped into the cabins to tackle the low pressure atmosphere of high altitude travel.