Roller coaster from Shanghai to Hangzhou – China to build another meglev way

March 24th, 2006 Filed under English entries, Opinion

@ 2006-03-24 19:29

I just read the article by Wangjianshuo that China has decided to construct another meglev way from Hangzhou to Shanghai. Project is planned to be finished by 2008 and will be put into use by the 2010 Shanghai World Expro. Jianshuo is delighted with the news, but what I am interested is the motivation behind the decision and what it will bring to Shanghai.

So, why the government decided to build the maglev way?

At least, the decision is after the successful trail operation of Longyang-Sh Int. Airport meglev way, the world’s first meglev line for business purpose. After more than 3 years’ operation, the meglev technology has been proved to be safe enough to be promote.

But why the second line is Shanghai – Hangzhou instead of Shanghai – Beijing? Probaly the biggest problem is money. The 175km long line cost a total budget of 35 billion RMB, that is 200 million per km. If put this on the case of BJ – SH, the 1500 distance between the two cities means a total budget upto 300 billion RMB. That is one third of Shanghai’s GDP in 2005! So, money is the main stumbling block, not ambitious.

Then, what will it bring to Shanghai or Hangzhou?

In my opinion, it’s just a roller coaster for the the travellers to Hangzhou. Some business man may take it, but only cost a minor proportion. The main purpose is still to increase the attractiveness of Shanghai to the travellers around the world. Currently, Shanghai is having a headache on how to make itself up more attractive to the travellers across the country and around the world, just as Hongkong does. The problem is that Shanghai is in desperately lackness of tourist resources. After the completion of the meglev, Hangzhou will be a back garden to Shanghai. If you come to Shanghai, you almost reach Hangzhou, for it takes only half an hour to get to the nice place. Considering the application of building a Disneyland in Shanghai, Shanghai government is busy with building the city a more interesting place, a place not only headquarters and big department stores.

Frankly speaking, I’d prefer a meglev way from Shanghai to Beijing. So that I will save much time going back to home.

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