China’s High-Speed Rail Network Surpasses Global Peers in Scale and Speed
According to the Economic Desk of Webangah News Agency, China has solidified its position as the global leader in high-speed rail infrastructure, with its operational network surpassing 50,000 kilometers following the recent inauguration of the Xi’an-Yan’an line. This 299-kilometer (185-mile) route reduces travel time between the two cities from approximately two hours to just one hour.
The China State Railway Group reported that the country’s high-speed rail services now connect 97% of cities with urban populations exceeding 500,000. China’s network accounts for over 70% of the world’s total high-speed rail lines, which span approximately 65,000 kilometers globally.
Notable routes include the Beijing-Guangzhou line, stretching over 2,000 kilometers to link the capital with a port city near Hong Kong, and the Beijing-Shanghai line utilizing Fuxing trains that reach commercial speeds of 350 km/h (217 mph). China is simultaneously testing next-generation high-speed trains, including the CR450 prototype, which achieved a test speed of 896 km/h (557 mph) on the Chengdu-Shanghai line.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian announced on X that China’s operational high-speed rail length has exceeded 50,000 kilometers, surpassing the combined total of all other nations. Political science professor Jonathan Holslag described China’s rail expansion as demonstrating “state capitalism at its most powerful,” combining political will, state bank financing, and technical expertise.
Under its Belt and Road Initiative launched in 2013, China continues to finance rail projects across Asia to enhance regional trade and economic influence. The country plans to extend its high-speed rail network to 70,000 kilometers by 2035.
