Guangzhou has sought and received approval from the National Development and Reform Commission to construct ten metro lines, highlighting its support for Nansha district's development.

Two of the new lines, express lines 18 and 22, will run through Nansha district at speeds of up to 160 kilometers per hour. They are scheduled to be finished by 2020, after which it will take only 30 minutes to reach Nansha district from downtown Tianhe district.

The impetus given by the new metro line network to the development of Nansha district offers huge potential, said Li Zhijian, director of the Asia-pacific Innovation Economic Research Institute. "Convenient commuting between Guangzhou's downtown and the sub-center of Nansha will give better exposure to the Nansha Free Trade Zone."

Guangzhou's metro line 4 runs north to south through the city, connecting Tianhe district with Nansha district. [Photo/gznsnews.com]

"The new lines will largely shorten the travel time from the city's southernmost part, Nansha, to its downtown area, and contribute to developing Nansha as a sub-center of Guangzhou," according to a project official.

Line 18 is designed as a Nansha express, and runs from Wanqingsha to Guangzhou East Railway Station, traversing the Panyu and Haizhu districts.

Line 22 will cross the Nansha, Panyu and Liwan districts, starting from the Bai'etan area in the Liwan distrct, and intersecting line 18 at Panyu Square in the Panyu district.

Most stations along the two express lines will be transfer stops, in order to balance travel speed with passenger convenience.

The two newly approved lines will better connect Guangzhou's transportation hubs -- Guangzhou Railway Station, Guangzhou North Railway Station and Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport -- facilitating the city's development into a comprehensive international transportation hub.

New metro network of Guangzhou. [Photo/Guangzhou Daily]