A new 27.6-km subway line which runs through the heart of Beijing was opened yesterday. Beijing's No. 5 subway line has 23 stations and runs from Tiantongyuan North Station in Changping district to Songjiazhang Station in Fengtai district.

The subway line, which cost 12 billion yuan (1.13 billion euros) to build, was started in December 2002.

The subway cars are equipped with wireless communication network and live broadcasts will be installed in each subway car.

Beijing's old subway lines transport about 1.15 million passengers daily, about 15 percent of the city's total commuters.

The municipal government plans to add three subway lines next year, increasing the present mileage of 114 km to 200 km.

The launch of the new subway line is part of Beijing's latest efforts to ease traffic congestion and improve air quality ahead of the Olympic Games next year.