TAKEAWAY: Speed up for China trains

China has completed operation tests of a prototype next-generation high-speed train, which officials say can travel at 400kph, 50kph faster than the current fastest model, and 100kph faster than the regular high-speed rail services.

For many countries around the world, air travel is the dominant mode of transport for medium-length travel. Countries such as Japan, South Korea and France do have high-speed rail services, but none come close to China in terms of coverage, speed and overall convenience. The high-speed rail has truly been a game changer in China in terms of linking up the country and facilitating the movement of the world’s largest population. China has begun extending its high-speed rail network into neighboring countries.

This is all very well for distances up to a certain point. This new generation train may be able to reach speeds of 400kph, but that is still less than half of what an average commercial airliner can do. For long distance travel—especially crossing large oceans—there is no current alternative to aviation.