The Qinghai-Tibet railway was opened to the public by Chinese President Hu Jintao on 1 July. The 1,142 km Qinghai-Tibet railway from Golmud in Qinghai province to Lhasa in Tibet is the world's highest and longest railway, running through extremely inhospitable terrain located at heights of more than 4000 metres above sea level. The highest point in the railway is the 5,072 metre (16,640 ft) high Tanggula pass in the Kunlun mountain range.

China has notched up a series of spectacular achievements in the recent past. On 6 June this year, the main concrete wall of the Three Gorges dam on the Yangtze River- the world's largest hydro-electric power project- began to hold water after a temporary cofferdam was demolished. The mammoth Three Gorges project is expected to be completed by 2009. The first Chinese taikonaut (astronaut) lifted into space aboard the Shenzhou-V spacecraft atop a Long March 2F rocket from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre in October 2003. China's next manned space flight, the third in the programme, is slated for 2008.

The construction of the Qinghai-Tibet railway was a challenge for Chinese engineers and workers. They had to endure tremendous hardship due to the lack of oxygen at such heights. The successful completion of the of the railway a year ahead of schedule attests to the ingenuity and the tenacity of the Chinese. Concerns have been voiced about the probable damage to the environment. Some critics argue that the new railway could spell doom for the endangered Tibetan antelope or Chiru. Fears have been expressed that the migration of Han Chinese may cause irreparable damage to Tibetan culture and lead to a demographic change. However, Chinese government officials discount these fears. They argue that domestic and foreign tourists will bring in much needed revenue, reduce transportation costs and save time. China has ambitious plans to extend the railway to areas bordering India, Nepal and Bhutan. This assumes additional significance in view of the re-opening of the trade route in Nathu la in Sikkim between India and China from 6 July after a hiatus of 44 years. China wants to bring Tibet Autonomous region into the national mainstream in the hope of ending problems of separatism in its outlying regions through economic development.

The new railway will be a great asset for China's armed forces allowing easy and rapid movement of men and materials. With India cozying up to the US and Japan firmly in the American camp, China is wary of American attempts to encircle it. Yet, China is aware that the US needs its help when it comes to the North Korean and the Iran issues. China is playing a leading role in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). India has observer status in the SCO along with Pakistan, Mongolia and Iran. China's interests in the SCO may put it at odds with the American designs in the region.

China is also grappling with the problem of overcrowding in its urban areas. To control the migration into its already overcrowded cities, China knows that there has to be more equitable development. China has been facing flak on its human rights record internationally and events like the opening of the railways could help deflect attention from these issues, albeit temporarily.

The first train has already rolled into Lhasa. Many places enroute which were previously considered to be in the 'back of beyond' have now suddenly become accessible. Plans are afoot to introduce luxury trains on this sector for foreign tourists to savour the beauty of the 'roof of the world'.

Relations between India and China have been looking up in this year of India-China Friendship. During the visit of the Defence Minister Pranab Mukhejee in the last week of May this year, the first-ever MoU on defence cooperation with China was inked. In the last week of June India's National Security Advisor and Special Representative for border talks M.K.Narayanan visited China to carry forward talks on the boundary issue. A parliamentary delegation led by the Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee also undertook a five-day visit to China beginning 3 July. The Chinese President Hu Jintao is scheduled to visit India later this year.

India has reason to be cautiously optimistic about this railway. The disputed border with China in Arunachal Pradesh is one reason India has to be on guard. India's decision to construct new roads in Arunachal Pradesh is a step in the right direction. Though Chinese presence in the border areas seems to be increasing, India has no real cause for concern in ties of improving bilateral relations. At the same time however there should be no laxity in terms of defence preparedness lest India be caught in a 1962-type situation.