China is advancing plans for the Zhanhai High-Speed Railway, a major project designed to connect Hainan Island directly with the national high-speed rail system through Guangdong Province.
The update came on December 12 at a transport development press conference in Haikou, part of the “High-Standard Construction of the Hainan Free Trade Port” series. Luo Zhiquan, Party Committee Member and Chief Engineer of Hainan Railway Co., said preparatory work is progressing and the line is expected to be completed and put into operation during the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026–2030).
Project Route and Design
The planned line starts in Zhanjiang, Guangdong, runs through Leizhou and Xuwen, then crosses the Qiongzhou Strait to Haikou.
For the strait crossing, trains will use a rail ferry. High-speed trains will roll directly onto specialised ferries, make the sea crossing, then continue on land. It is expected that passengers will stay on the same train for the entire trip.
The project forms part of China’s national “eight vertical, eight horizontal” high-speed rail framework and is intended to close a long-standing gap in Hainan’s external transport links.
What’s New About the Zhanhai High-Speed Railway?
Hainan already has a rail ferry, but it carries conventional trains, mainly for freight and limited long-distance passenger services.
The Zhanhai line would introduce high-speed rail to the mainland–Hainan link for the first time, allowing faster, more frequent services and direct connections to major mainland cities.
How is this different from the existing rail ferry?
The current system carries conventional trains, mostly for freight and overnight passenger routes. The Zhanhai project would bring high-speed rail to the corridor and plug Hainan directly into the national network.
Why Not a Bridge or Tunnel?
A bridge or undersea tunnel has been studied for years, but both face steep technical and strategic challenges. The strait is an important shipping and military channel, and permanent structures would raise navigation and security concerns.
Geology, water depth, seismic activity, and typhoon exposure would push construction difficulty and cost even higher. A rail ferry is a proven, lower-risk option that can be delivered within current Free Trade Port timelines.
Fixed crossings would require long construction periods, carry high engineering risks, and face strategic constraints. A rail ferry offers a practical, lower-risk solution that fits present planning needs.
Strategic Significance for Hainan
Luo Zhiquan said the Zhanhai High-Speed Railway will allow seamless links between Hainan’s island ring high-speed rail and the national network, creating a more efficient island–mainland transport system. Officials say the project will strengthen ties between the Hainan Free Trade Port and the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area, supporting travel, logistics, tourism, and regional economic integration. By shifting from an island-only loop to a nationally connected node, Hainan’s transport position and economic reach will rise significantly.
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