Take a look at a map of China’s HSR network. Most of that network isn’t profitable off of fares: instead, the coastal infrastructure is used to subsidize less profitable lines in the interior (that undoubtedly provide benefits, but not necessarily enough to directly offset the costs with fares).
It’s a given that coastal cities will become more prosperous. China is using the prosperity of coastal cities to improve living conditions in the rest of the country.
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Take a look at a map of China’s HSR network. Most of that network isn’t profitable off of fares: instead, the coastal infrastructure is used to subsidize less profitable lines in the interior (that undoubtedly provide benefits, but not necessarily enough to directly offset the costs with fares).
It’s a given that coastal cities will become more prosperous. China is using the prosperity of coastal cities to improve living conditions in the rest of the country.