An inauguration ceremony for the Shanghai-Suzhou-Huzhou High-speed Railway is held in Huzhou, East China;s Zhejiang province, on June 5. [Photo/WeChat account: Huzhoufabu]

The Shanghai-Suzhou-Huzhou High-speed Railway, a key part of the nation's drive to promote the integration of the Yangtze River Delta region, began construction on June 5.

The 163.8-km railway, designed to support speeds of up to 350 km/h, will consist of seven stops, including the Shanghai Hongqiao Station, Songjiang South Station, Fenhu Station, Shengze Station, Nanxun Station, and Huzhou East Station.

The railway is expected to reduce travel time between Huzhou and Shanghai to just half an hour.

The railway is expected to turn Huzhou into a regional transport hub, as the city will be at the intersection of the Shanghai-Suzhou-Huzhou High-speed Railway and the Shangqiu-Hefei-Hangzhou High-speed Railway.

It will also be the only city within one hour of Shanghai, Nanjing, Hangzhou, and Hefei by high-speed rail.

The 2020 Forum of Major Leaders of the Yangtze River Delta is currently underway in Huzhou. Huzhou is the second city in China to host the forum, following Wuhu in Anhui province.