1995:

The ASEAN summit put forward the concept of the Pan-Asia Railway Network for the first time. It received a warm response from China and ASEAN economies. As the starting point of China's connection with Southeast Asia, a standard gauge railway had to be built in Yunnan. After discussions it was decided to rely on the existing Kunming-Yuxi railway and taking it on to Mengzi before entering Vietnam through Hekou port.

August 31, 2005:

China's National Development and Reform Commission approved the feasibility study for the Yuxi-Mengzi Railway project.

September 1, 2005:

At a total length of 141 kilometers, construction of the Yuxi-Mengzi Railway project started.

In February 2012:

The Yuxi-Mengzi Railway began laying tracks.

Aug 14, 2012:

Workers completed track-laying for the Yuxi-Mengzi Railway.

Feb 23, 2013:

The Yuxi-Mengzi Railway began passenger transportation.

The longest railway tunnel:

Because of special geographical conditions, the Yuxi-Mengzi Railway construction faced many challenges. Xiushan tunnel, which has a total length of 10,302 meters, is the longest railway tunnel in Yunnan province and passes through many faults in the earth's crust as well as caves. It is famous for complex geological conditions and frequent changes in surrounding rock types as well as plenty of underground water. All of the difficulties made the construction extremely problematic.

Pan-Asia Railway:

The name Pan-Asia Railway was devised by former Malaysian prime minister Mahathir Mohamad in December during the fifth ASEAN summit in 1995. He proposed the construction of a railway that went beyond the reach of the Mekong River Basin, from the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, through Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Myanmar, Cambodia and on to Kunming in China. The initiative was immediately met with approval at the ASEAN summit and by the Chinese government.

In 2006, the timetable of construction for the railway was determined. In September of that year, the eighth ASEAN ministerial meeting reached a consensus to speed up construction of the Southeast Corridor of the Pan-Asia Railway, planning completion for 2015.

The Pan-Asia Railway scheme is divided into three programs - east, central and west lines. The east line links Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Phnom Penh, Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi and Kunming. The central line links Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Vientiane, Shangyong and Kunming. The west line links Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Yangon, Ruili and Kunming.

China Daily

(China Daily 03/18/2013 page13)