China’s latest high-speed train poised to surpass global records

China is making significant strides in railway technology with the unveiling of its CR450, a next-generation high-speed train designed to become the fastest in the world. 

The CR450, revealed in Beijing on December 29, has achieved test speeds of up to 450 kilometers (281 miles) per hour, with an operational speed of 400 kilometers (248.5 miles) per hour, the Ministry of Transport said, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media. 

Once it enters commercial service, the CR450 could surpass China's current CR400 model, which operates at 350 kilometers (217 miles) per hour and was introduced in 2017.

The CR450 prototype has been praised by its developers, CRRC Changchun Railway Vehicles and CRRC Sifang Co., Ltd., for its outstanding operational speed, energy efficiency, noise reduction, and braking capabilities.

According to state-run China Daily, the CR450 has undergone over 3,000 simulations and more than 2,000 platform tests to meet the demanding requirements of commercial service.

However, the China State Railway Group stated that additional line tests and refinements are necessary to ensure the train meets all the standards for commercial operation.

In the past decade, China has firmly established itself as a global leader in railway development, constructing thousands of kilometers of new railways that reach nearly every part of the country. Its rail network now covers over 160,000 kilometers, with more than 46,000 kilometers dedicated to high-speed rail lines, according to China's Ministry of Transport.

High-speed rail has long served as a practical alternative to air travel for journeys of up to 700 miles, providing an efficient and comfortable way to connect major cities with rural regions.

Since the 1980s, hundreds of billions of dollars have been invested in the development of high-speed, high-capacity rail systems across Europe and Asia, inspired by Japan’s Shinkansen and France's TGV.

By Naila Huseynova