The Beijing-Tianjin inter-city passenger rail line has just finished trial operations and will open to traffic on August 1, just a few days before the Beijing Olympic Games kicks off.

Wang Yongping is the spokesman of the Ministry of Railways.

"The opening of this rail line will promote the development of both Beijing and Tianjin, especially the economies of the two cities. Beijing is China's political, economic and cultural center, but many old companies have had to move out of Beijing. Tianjin is the base of some of these industries, with solid foundations and abundant human and land resources, so two cities can complement each other."

The line is designed to accommodate trains traveling at speeds of 300 to 350 kilometers per hour. The route is about 115 kilometers long, and because of the flat landscape, much of the line is elevated on viaducts. A trip between the two cities will take just 27 minutes, including one-minute stops at Yizhuang and Wuqing stations, on the new rail line.

Each train can carry 600 passengers, and the seats on the train can be rotated to create different seating arrangements. The train also features a bar car for passengers in need of refreshment. Though the trains can reach speeds of up to 350 kilometers per hour, passengers won't feel any discomfort, Wang Yongping says.

"The rail line is the first high-standard passenger rail in China. Its services and facilities are more advanced than those common trains. Though the trip takes less than 30 minutes, passengers still attach much importance to comfort."

Construction of the passenger rail line started in July 2006, and was completed at the end of last year. The line is believed to be the pilot project of a massive high-speed rail network in China.

Ticket prices are still awaiting regulatory approval.