Construction on China’s first privately funded railway has begun. Almost RMB 1.5 billion is being invested in the 75-kilometer-long railway which should be up and running in 2009.

The railway is in the southern province of Guangdong and Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. It is set to become a key route linking the Pearl River Delta with Hong Kong and Macao SARS, handling both cargo and passengers.

The railway is funded by the Shenzhen Zhongji Company, which own 100 percent of its equity rights. Authorities say construction of the railway should have a positive impact on the development of the area and improved logistics.