Two Subway quickies. Please get ready for your arrival...

• Work on the Subway Daxing Line will start in full beginning June 1, 2008, with the line being put into service in 2011. The above-ground station will be shifted to Xihongmen instead of Nanzhaolu. The line will be connected seamlessly to Line 4 and will, in fact, be one integrated line without the need to exit and change trains. The name "Daxing Line" could very well be retermed "Line 4" a bit later on (that's us guessing)...

• Meanwhile, Line 8 will probably be extended even further north into the eastern part of urban Changping. About two new stations are planned for the northern extension, making Line 8 one helluva long line. Extensions are slated after eastern urban Changping gets a makeover as a new northern financial center by around 2020.

Zukunftsmusik, on the rails, ladies and gents...