Economy

China hopes to set new high-speed train record next yr

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-12-07 16:29

BEIJING - China aims to break the world high-speed rail record in a trial run next year, Chinese manufacturing sources said here Tuesday.

China hopes to break the 574.8 km per hour speed record set by France's TGV high-speed train in April 2007, the sources said.

China's high-speed rail network has been developing quickly in recent years. A CRH-380A train on Friday set an operating speed record of 486.1 km per hour on a test run on the Beijing-Shanghai high-speed railway.

As a modern transportation method, high-speed trains can travel at speeds as high as 350 kilometers per hour.

China operates a high-speed railway network with a combined length of 7,531 kilometers, the world's longest, said Chinese Railways Minister Liu Zhijun Tuesday.

Related readings:  China operates world's longest high-speed railway network  High-speed rail deals on move  Beijing-Shanghai high-speed railway ready to roll

While addressing the seventh World Congress on High Speed Rail held in Beijing, Liu said China's high-speed railways have been operating well, with reliable equipment and a good safety record.

Launched in 1992 by the International Unions of Railways (UIC), the congress exhibits the world's high-speed railway development. It is the first time the congress has been held outside Europe.