From 2004 to 2008, China's railway system entered a "great stride forward" phase, marked by strategic planning and deep institutional reforms. The period's key pillars were a mid- and long-term network plan, investment and financing reforms, the dissolution of MOR, and its integration into a modern comprehensive transportation system. The government's 2004 Mid- and Long-Term Railway Network Plan was a landmark shift from passive development to proactive planning. It set ambitious goals to expand the network and separate passenger and freight lines. To fund this expansion, Chinese railways diversified its financing, moving beyond state allocations to secure policy loans, and attract private capital. This laid the foundation for a more market-oriented funding model. A key institutional change was the 2013 dissolution of MOR. Its administrative duties were transferred to government agencies, and its operational functions were handed to China Railway. This restructuring aimed to separate government and business roles, creating a modern enterprise system. Finally, railways were integrated into a national multimodal transport system to enhance efficiency and leverage their strengths in long-distance transport.