It is not an understatement to say some of the HSR lines in Western China are indeed overbuilt. For example, the whole Lanzhou - Urumqi section 350kph capable line is unnecessary. Now it is used to operate 160-200 kph conventional passenger trains since it is so underused by high-speed EMUs. That section would have been far better served by quadrupling conventional rail (two tracks for 120-160 kph passenger train, two for freight). High speed passenger dedicated lines above 250 kph should only be built EAST of the Tengchong-Heihe line, along with the Guanzhong (Xi'an) and Sichuan (Chengdu and Chongqing) plains due to population density reasons.
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Chinese Rail Transport Appreciation & News
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Very true, but for strategic and military reasons, you don't need 350 kph capable tracks. Those 350 kph capable tracks and associated systems are simply too expensive. The more affordable 160-200 kph capable dual passenger-freight heavy tracks (like the ones used for the Sichuan-Tibet, Chonqqing-Lanzhou, and the new Chengdu-Kunming lines) are the most fit for Western China, especially sparsely populated areas with significant strategic importance. For example, you can have temporary 200 kph semi high speed EMUs running on Chongqing-Lanzhou and the new Chengdu-Kunming lines during peak seasons like the Chinese New Year. Once the peak seasons end, all passenger trains return to 120-160 kph services, whilst 100-120 kph freight trains resume normal schedules.I think in that particular case in Xinjiang the railway was built for strategic rather than economic reasons.