Latest news with #ChineseMinistryofTransport
Newsweek
4 days ago
- Science
- Newsweek
China's Astonishing Maglev Train Is Faster Than Most Planes
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. China has successfully tested a magnetic levitation (Maglev) technology which could see trains travel faster than most planes. The most recent test, demonstrated at Donghu Laboratory in Hubei Province, saw a 1.1-ton Maglev train accelerating to 404 mph in just under 7 seconds over 1,968 feet. The test follows a trial of the same technology last year, which achieved speeds of over 620 mph—faster than the flight of many commercial planes. Newsweek contacted the Chinese Ministry of Transport for more information via email. Why It Matters The successful results in June show that the Maglev technology, which produced speeds of over 600 mph during trials last year in the Shanxi province is reproducible, meaning it could become part of China's rail network soon. For comparison, commercial passenger aircrafts typically travel at around 547 to 575 mph, meaning China could soon have the ability to deploy trains that run faster than standard air travel. What To Know June's test, which was carried out by researchers at Donghu Laboratory, used self-developed electromagnetic propulsion and suspension systems that allow the train to levitate above the track, virtually eliminating friction and only requiring it to overcome air resistance. The measurement and positioning accuracy, according to Li Weichao, the lab's technology director, reached a precision of 4 millimeters, which is critical for safety at extreme speeds. Maglev technology uses opposing magnetic fields to lift the train off its track, which reduces friction and allows for smoother, quieter, and faster movement. At high speeds, air resistance becomes the principal limitation, a hurdle that engineers have minimized by using low-vacuum tubes to allow even greater acceleration. New artificial intelligence (AI)-guided suspension systems and precise electromagnetic controls further support extreme speeds and passenger comfort. Currently, only China, Japan, and South Korea operate commercial Maglev systems, with Beijing already running the world's longest commercial Maglev line between Shanghai and Pudong International Airport at speeds up to 267 mph. China plans to deploy the ultra-high-speed maglev network to connect major cities nationwide, such as Beijing and Shanghai, which could reduce travel times between cities to 90 minutes or less. Mechanics checking a bullet train at a maintenance center in Nanjing, eastern China's Jiangsu province, on January 13. Mechanics checking a bullet train at a maintenance center in Nanjing, eastern China's Jiangsu province, on January 13. Getty Images What People Are Saying Director, High-speed Maglev Electromagnetic Propulsion Technology Innovation Center, Donghu Laboratory, Li Weichao, told CGTN last month: "This is the fastest speed in the world. It's typical operating speed is 800 km/h. The entire construction is expected to be completed by the end of this year, and the platform will meet the conditions for acceptance." What Happens Next? Engineers at Donghu Laboratory expect to complete the full construction of their high-speed track by the end of 2025.
Miami Herald
27-06-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
China Makes Another High-Speed Rail Breakthrough
The Chongqing East to Qianjiang section of the Chongqing-Xiamen High-Speed Railway, a key part of China's high-speed rail network, began operation on Friday. An inaugural train departed from Chongqing East Railway Station and reached Qianjiang Railway Station, marking the launch of the 242-kilometer segment of the Chongqing-Xiamen high-speed railway, according to China Daily. Newsweek reached out to the Chinese Ministry of Transport for comment via email. China operates the world's most extensive high-speed rail network, with more than 24,855 miles of operational lines, according to a 2023 report from the International Union of Railways. China alone accounts for nearly double the combined length of the rest of the world's high-speed rail systems, while Western competitors, such as the United States, struggle to develop at the same pace. The new segment, which started construction in May 2020, operates at speeds of up to 350 kilometers per hour and will run up to 54 trains daily. This development closes a crucial gap between Chongqing and Changsha, the capital of Hunan province, facilitating faster travel between two major regional economic hubs. The completed Chongqing to Changsha link, together with the Ganzhou to Xiamen section and the under-construction Changsha to Ganzhou section, is set to form the entire Chongqing-Xiamen high-speed rail corridor. Travel time from Chongqing to Changsha can be as short as three hours and 53 minutes, which is another fast passenger transport route between the Chengdu-Chongqing economic circle and the Changsha-Zhuzhou-Xiangtan area. Xiamen, which will eventually be fully linked, is a major port city on China's southeast coast, meaning its infrastructure could fuel increases in trade and travel efficiency for the inland-to-coastal corridor. The Chongqing East to Qianjiang section starts at Chongqing East Railway Station and passes through areas including the Nanan District, Wulong District, and Qianjiang District. It connects to the Qianjiang Railway Station of the Qianjiang-Zhangjiajie-Changde high-speed railway. Yang Zhiyong, commander of the Wulong Command Center of the Chongqing-Guizhou Chongqing-Wanzhou Railway Company,in a statement to Bastille Post Global: "With the opening of the high-speed railway, travelers can reach Zhangjiajie from Chongqing East in two and a half hours and get to Changsha from Chengdu East in about six hours. "This has established a new transport corridor connecting Chengdu, Chongqing, and Hunan, which is important for promoting rapid socio-economic development in the region." With the full Chongqing-Xiamen corridor on track for completion, future segments are under construction as China maintains its position as a global leader in high-speed rail expansion. Related Articles Donald Trump to Invent Trade Deals for Countries That Refuse to NegotiateScott Bessent Offers New Details On China Deal NegotiationsIran Joins China and Russia in Security Talks After US StrikesCzech Intelligence Reveals China Plan to Crash Into Taiwan Vice President-Elect 2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
Yahoo
28-01-2025
- Yahoo
China welcomes the Year of the Snake
China ushered in the Year of the Snake at midnight (1600 GMT), as the Chinese New Year began for the country of approximately 1.4 billion inhabitants. The New Year's festival, also known as the Spring Festival, is based on the traditional lunar calendar and therefore takes place on different days around the end of January or the beginning of February. It is also celebrated in other Asian countries such as Vietnam, Singapore, South Korea, Malaysia, Taiwan and Indonesia - and by Chinese expats living around the globe. During the holiday which last several days, most shops and offices are closed, and the most important travel season of the year begins, as many people now living in the cities travel back to their home towns. Around the New Year's festival, the largest travel wave in the world occurs. This year, the Chinese Ministry of Transport expects around 510 million train journeys and 90 million flights. In many places, celebrations include fireworks, and in some major cities, there are also drone shows. As families gather for the traditional meal together, the grand New Year Gala is broadcast on television, which is considered the world's most-watched TV programme. For the Chinese economy, the festival is a significant factor. Traditionally, red envelopes with money are given as gifts, stimulating consumption. Often these envelopes are now sent digitally to smartphones. The Spring Festival also has an impact on the rest of the world, with tourist destinations benefiting from the fact that many Chinese take holidays.
