Moscow-Beijing rail link: Officials in both Russia and China are expecting the fate of the high-speed Moscow to Beijing rail link to be decided this year. The 400 mph line, which would run south of the existing Trans Siberian railway, would slash the journey between the two capitals from 6 days to around 33 hours and link both cities with Astana. With Russia’s relationship with the West under strain and casting doubts on the possible involvement of the likes of France’s Alston in the project, China Railway High-speed (CRH), a subsidiary of the state-controlled China Railway (CR), could play a key role in the project alongside Russian companies. While talks continue, the Russian government is pressing ahead with the Moscow-Kazan high-speed rail line that would constitute part of the larger project. Siberian Times