China Railway has called the cancellation of a high-speed railway project by US firm Xpress West 'irresponsible' and 'a mistake'. The Las Vegas-based company said it had terminated plans with China Railway International to construct a high-speed passenger line between Las Vegas and Los Angeles.

China Railway said the US company had unilaterally breached a cooperation agreement and it opposed the decision. In September last year, XpressWest and CRI announced plans to construct the Southwest Rail Network, connecting Las Vegas, Nevada and Los Angeles. The two sides planned to start construction on the 370-kilometer line in September 2016 with an initial investment of US$100 million.