Doubts surface over reorganizing railways

NPC deputies fear Tibet might not get much new construction

Deputies to the National People's Congress expressed concern that the construction of a non-profit railway in western regions may be jeopardized if the Ministry of Railways is split, with its regulatory powers going to the Ministry of Transport, and its operations handed over to a commercial entity.

"The railway system in southern Xinjiang, such as in Hotan, is hardly going to be profitable, but it plays an important strategic role. As a profit-driven company, I wonder how the new railway company will deal with the relationship between regional development and profit," said Nur Bekeri, chairman of the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region.