China’s high-speed rail: from personal to public pleasure – Dainik Savera Times

As China enters its “National Day Golden Week” from October 1, millions of citizens have prepared to travel across the country, visiting relatives and friends or embarking on holiday trips. According to the China National Railways Group, on October 1, China’s railways transported 21.448 million passengers, a new record for the highest number of passengers per day. It has been told that this year the National Day Yatra period will run from 29 September to 8 October. In these ten days, the national railway network is expected to transport 17.5 crore passengers, with high-speed rail becoming the preferred mode of travel for many.

A popular journey illustrates the remarkable efficiency of China’s high-speed rail system: departing from Beijing in the morning, passengers can reach Xi’an by afternoon – covering a distance of 1,200 kilometers in just over four hours. This rapid transit has brought the ancient capital Xi’an closer to Beijing and made it easier for people to stay connected with family and friends across long distances.
China’s railway network has expanded significantly in recent years. By mid-September 2024, its total length will exceed 1 lakh 60 thousand kilometers, including 46,000 kilometers of high-speed rail. This makes it the largest high-speed rail network in the world, surpassing the combined length of similar systems in other countries. According to Newsweek, China’s high-speed rail network, which took just 20 years to build, is long enough to circle the Earth.

Even former US President Donald Trump has acknowledged China’s achievements in high-speed rail. Expressed his appreciation during a recent conversation with Tesla CEO Elon Musk. Trump described China’s high-speed trains as “incredibly fast, comfortable and flawless.” This year marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of New China, and in that time, the high-speed rail network has gone from non-existent to a global leader. As the network expands, it has revolutionized domestic travel by providing fast, reliable transportation. High-speed rail has now become an integral part of China’s modernization, connecting major cities and making travel more convenient for millions of people.

The network’s reach is impressive, connecting cities with populations of more than 5 million and forming the backbone of China’s transportation infrastructure. Beyond domestic benefits, China’s high-speed rail is also becoming an attraction for international visitors. With the expansion of the country’s 144-hour visa-free transit program, more foreign tourists are choosing to explore China via high-speed rail, traveling faster between major cities and experiencing diverse cultures and landscapes. Enjoying the potential of.

Indian poet Gautam Vegada recently shared his positive experience of traveling by high-speed rail from Hangzhou to Beijing, a journey of more than 1,200 kilometers at speeds of 350 kilometers per hour. Praising the train’s convenience and efficiency, Wegda said China’s progress in high-speed rail could inspire India, which is in the early stages of developing its own network. He also highlighted the possibility of further cooperation between the two countries. The success of China’s high-speed rail is not limited to its borders.

In recent years, the country has expanded its expertise abroad, participating in major rail projects in countries along the Belt and Road Initiative. From Indonesia’s Jakarta-Bandung line to Saudi Arabia’s Mecca-Medina route, from Turkey’s Ankara-Istanbul high-speed railway to the Hungary-Serbia railway, China’s high-speed rail technology is being rapidly adopted globally. . These projects are not just engineering achievements; These are bridges for economic development and cultural exchange between countries. As these international projects come to fruition, they strengthen regional ties, reduce travel times, and promote development. China’s high-speed rail has become a powerful symbol of the country’s technological prowess, setting new standards in the global transportation industry.

A popular Chinese proverb says, “Happiness is better shared than enjoyed alone.” This sentiment reflects the experience of traveling on China’s high-speed rail – fast, comfortable and convenient. It turns a simple trip into a shared adventure, bringing people together and making travel even more fun.

(Credits- China Media Group, Beijing)