China has inaugurated a crucial section of its high-speed rail network, completing the passenger link connecting the regional capital of Nanning with Pingxiang, a key border city with Vietnam. The newly opened 81-kilometer segment between Chongzuo and Pingxiang in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region completes the Nanning-Pingxiang high-speed railway, designed to reach speeds of up to 250 kilometers per hour. The previous section, Nanning-Chongzuo, had already begun operations in December 2022. With the full route now operational, the total travel time for passengers from Nanning, the capital of Guangxi, to the border city of Pingxiang is reduced to just 75 minutes. The increased efficiency of the route is already having an impact on the service sector. Local travel agencies have begun offering cross-border weekend tours, anticipating strong demand from travelers interested in short getaways abroad. Experts agree that the full operation of this high-speed corridor will not only optimize the flow of people but also 'strengthen regional connectivity and further support the development' of the free trade area between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).