In 2005 China started building high-speed railways. It has since expanded its network to 7,531 kilometers of track and there will be 16,000 km within 10 years.
The world organization in this field is the International Union of Railways, which since 1992 has organized a global meeting on high-speed railways. This year it was in Beijing.
At the opening ceremony, China’s Vice Premier Zhang Dejiang noted, "The world has acknowledged the high-speed development of China’s high-speed railway. Our technology has reached the highest levels of the world. China will move into the railway business around the world."
A Chinese railway official said, "We will create a Chinese brand by bringing in advanced technology [from abroad] and working together in design and manufacturing."
Business and Technology reports that the US, Southeast Asia and Germany are already serious potential markets. China is also interested in imports and is a large market for Japanese, Western or American firms that produce parts for railways.