The national expressway network plan reflects the "people-centered" philosophy, said Zhang Chunxian, minister of communications Thursday.

The State Council approved the plan at the end of 2004. According to the plan, China will build a 85,000-kilometer-long expressway network in the coming 30 years.

Formed by seven lines from Beijing, nine lines from north to south and 18 from east to west, the 85,000-kilometer-long network, known in short as "7918 Network," will cover a region with a population of one billion.

Zhang told a press conference of the State Council Information Office that the plan aims to satisfy "to the maximum extent" the transportation demand of people and create a safe, comfortable and convenient transport environment so as to enable the road users to enjoy the benefits afforded by the amenities of expressway network to their life and work.

According the plan, the network will connect all the provincial capitals, large cities with a population over 500,000 and medium-sized cities over 200,000.

It will also connect major AAAA-level tourist cities nationwide to provide a fast-track passage for tourism and recreation, Zhang said.

All these Zhang regarded as reflection of "people-centered" philosophy.

Zhang said the plan also strengthened the role of expressway in the promotion of national land development, regional coordination and economic and social development, as well as the implementation of the national economic development strategy.

"Integrated transportation" is another emphasis of the plan, Zhang said. The ministry emphasized the coordinated development of the integrated transportation system.

The planned routes will connect all important transport hubs, including 50 railway hubs, 67 aviation centers, 140 land transport hubs and 50 water ports.

The implementation of the plan will further promote the utilization of land resources, environmental protection and energy saving so as to bolster the sustainable economic and social development, he said.

Source: Xinhua