The sixth project to improve train speed, scheduled to be made in October 2005, remains undecided for technical reasons, according to the Ministry of Railways in Beijing Wednesday.

At present, the ministry cannot set a timetable for the project.

But at least it is impossible for 2005, for Liu Zhijun, minister of railways has set it as "a preparing year."

"Compared with the fifth speed-improving project made in April 2004, the sixth one is more complicated and more difficult," Liu said.

He said the ministry needs to improve the conditions of more than 840 kilometers of lines and many of the communication signals.

The ministry has planed to improve the speed of passenger lines such as Beijing to Shanghai, Beijing to Harbin, Longhai (Lanzhou to Lianyungang) to 200 km per hour.

Facing a host of new technical problems, the ministry has organized experts to do related research work and managing regulations has also been made, Liu said.

In 2004, the ministry bought advanced trains from foreign countries. Liu said his ministry has trained technical and managerial staff on how to use it.

After it raises the speed for the sixth time, China will have more than 22,000 km of lines with a speed above 120 km per hour.

Of the total, 5,300 km will have a speed of 200 km per hour.

Source: Xinhua