SHANGHAI (AP) — China has approved plans for a 70.8 billion yuan ($10.6 billion) link to connect its inland cities of Chengdu and Xi'an just days after inaugurating what it says is the world's fastest intercity high-speed rail line. The National Development and Reform Commission okayed the Xi'an-Chengdu high speed rail plan last week and construction is due to begin later this year, the China Railway First Survey and Design Institute said in a notice seen on its website. The 320-mile railway, one-quarter of which will run through tunnels, will cut travel time between the two cities to about two hours.