DALIAN, China -- China State Railway Group is doubling down on its expansion of what is already the world's largest high-speed rail network, as the government ramps up efforts to bring the Chinese economy back on track.
But the aggressive campaign has added to the state-owned operator's total liabilities, which as of the end of 2021 reached 5.91 trillion yuan ($882 billion), or around 5% of China's gross domestic product. With the figure only expected to grow, concerns over China's "hidden debt" loom over its economic outlook.
