A train runs on the eastern ring in Haikou, Dec 24, 2015. [Photo/IC]

HAIKOU -- Southern China's Hainan province began operation of a new stretch of railway track on Wednesday, completing the world's first high-speed train line to circle an island.

A bullet train set off from Haikou, the capital of the island province, at 9:40 am, launching operations of the 345-km western track of the loop line, which links six counties to join the eastern track in Sanya city, a beach resort on the island's southern coast.

The 308-km eastern part was put into operation at the end of 2010, linking Haikou to Sanya, with a designed speed of up to 250 km per hour. It passes Boao, a scenic town that is the site of the annual Boao Forum for Asia.

Construction of the western track began in September 2013 with an investment of 27 billion yuan ($4.23 billion).

With a land area of 35,400 square km, Hainan is slightly larger than Belgium. The popular destination for beach lovers is expected to receive 47 million visitors this year.