MOSCOW, October 15 (RIA Novosti) — China has become a world leader in developing high-speed rail systems, Ifeng News reported Wednesday.
“China has become a world leader in high-speed rail system development. China is the future of railroads,” International Union of Railways’ high speed activities Project Director Ignacio Barron said as quoted by the Ifeng News.
High speed rail development is important for China not only in terms of passenger transfer, but also to enable the quick transport of troops and military equipment.
“High speed railways not only assure economic growth, but also enable the rapid transportation of troops, which is a crucial part of [our] military strategy,” said Xiao Yusheng, a researcher with China’s Academy of Military Sciences.
China currently has the world’s longest high-speed rail network with over 11,000 km (6,852 miles) of track. Some Chinese trains can reach operational speeds of 380 km/h (240 mph).
In October, the Russian government signed a memorandum of cooperation on a high-speed railroad with Chinese officials. The purpose of the document is to develop a Moscow-Beijing Eurasian high-speed rail transport corridor, including the priority project of a Moscow-Kazan high-speed rail line.
