China News Agency, Paris, January 17 (Reporter Li Yang) A large-scale strike in France aimed at opposing the reform of the retirement system is about to debut on the 19th, and public transportation is expected to be severely affected.

  According to the news released by the Paris Mass Transit Company on the evening of the 17th, the passenger service of the Paris Metro lines on the 19th will be severely impacted. Among them, Metro Lines 8, 10 and 11 will stop operating on the same day, and more than 10 subway lines will be shut down. Limited service only during peak hours.

Only Line 1 and Line 14, which are operated automatically, remain normal.

The capacity of the suburban railway express line was also significantly reduced on the day.

  The French National Railways also released the capacity arrangement on the day of the strike on the 19th that night, saying that passenger transport on all lines will be "seriously disrupted", among which high-speed TGV trains will maintain one-fifth to one-third of capacity; TER trains will only maintain one-tenth capacity; intercity Intercités trains will be more severely affected, and only one of the many lines will remain in operation.

  In addition, France's Thalys high-speed train connecting Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands and the "Eurostar" high-speed train connecting the United Kingdom will operate "generally normal" on the 19th, and other French international railway passenger services are likely to be basically suspended that day.

  The large-scale strike on the 19th will also affect civil aviation transportation.

The French civil aviation department stated that due to the strike of airport staff, flights at Paris Orly Airport will be reduced during some periods on the 19th, mainly affecting domestic flights in France.

  French Minister of Transport Bonne called on the public on the 17th to choose telecommuting on the day of the large-scale strike on the 19th and postpone the corresponding travel arrangements.

He predicted it would be "very difficult" to travel by public transport that day.

Bonne also called on public transport management to continue dialogue with trade unions to promote support for retirement reform.

  In addition to large-scale strikes, French trade unions also plan to launch demonstrations on the 19th to oppose the reform of the retirement system.

At present, trade unions estimate that the number of people participating in demonstrations in France is about 550,000 to 750,000.

(Finish)