(Yicai Global) July 25 -- China is expected to invest between CNY400 billion (USD58.2 billion) and CNY500 billion a year on urban rail transport systems for some time to come, according to a senior official at an industry group.

Every year across the country, more than 6,000 kilometers of rail lines are under construction and over 800 km are completed and put into service, the Shanghai Securities News reported on its website, citing Zhou Xiaoqing, executive vice president of the China Association of Metros.

This situation is likely to continue for an indefinite period of time, said Zhou, who was speaking at the International Metro Transit Forum 2019 held in Beijing today.

A total of 35 cities in mainland China were operating 5,761 km of rail transit as of the end of last year. By the end of this year, that is expected to increase to 41 cities and top 6,800 km.