China has unveiled plan to launch the first driverless subway line, the Yanfang line, in southwest Beijing by the end of 2017, authorities revealed on Monday.

According to FirstPost, the new railway, which will utilize domestic technology, would be fully automated including train departures, door functions, and cleaning.

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China has already mastered the core technologies of fully automated subway systems since the country started developing them in 2010, Global Times reported.

So far, Beijing subway lines 3, 12, 17, and 19, as well as, the new airport line are set to be made automated, driverless subway lines.

The People's Daily reported that the total length of Beijing's fully automated subway lines is anticipated to span as much as 300 kilometers by 2020.

The initiative to use local technology is part of the country's "Made in China 2025" plan that targets to upgrade China's industry, strengthen its presence in the global rail transport sector, and ensure the security of China's infrastructures.

Meanwhile, China's very first permanent subway train started its operation in Central China's Hunan province, China Daily reported. The line aims to save up to 30 percent energy compared with the conventional lines.

The railway, which was jointly developed by Changsha Metro Group, CRRC Zhuzhou Locomotive Co Ltd., and Zhuzhou CRRC Times Electric Co Ltd., features a permanent magnet tractor system that has higher power density and is more power efficient.

If such a system is used in all of the subways in Changsha, it could up to 5.5 million yuan ($830,000) of power cost annually. 

Tagssubway line, driverless train, train, railway network, automated train