Chinese Vice Premier Zeng Peiyan on Monday called for local authorities to adopt a series of measures when the Qinghai-Tibet Railway begins trial operation on July 1.

He urged them to set environmental protection plans in place to minimize the impact created by increased passenger flow on the Qinghai-Tibet plateau.

Zeng said that China should attach more importance to the railway's transportation and equipment management in an effort to provide quality services on the train.

China should constantly improve the emergency plans on the railway to ensure passenger safety.

The government should help local people develop tourism, agricultural and animal husbandry industries based on their conditions to enhance their living standards.

The Qinghai-Tibet Railway, world's highest railway, extends 1,956 kilometers. Some 960 kilometers of its tracks are located 4,000 meters above sea level and the highest point is 5,072 meters, at least 200 meters higher than the Peruvian railway in the Andes, which was formerly the world's highest altitude railway.

(Xinhua News Agency June 27, 2006)