China unveils world's fastest high-speed bullet train prototype, to travel at 450 kmph

China unveiled an updated version of its high-speed bullet train on Sunday, claiming it reached speeds of 450 km/h during test runs.

Manufactured by the China State Railway Group Co (China Railway), the new CR450 prototype is expected to significantly reduce travel time and enhance connectivity, offering more convenient and efficient travel for the country’s extensive passenger base.

The CR450 prototype achieved a test speed of 450 km/h, setting new international benchmarks in key performance areas including operational speed, energy consumption, interior noise, and braking distance, according to official reports.

It is significantly faster than the CR400 Fuxing high-speed rail (HSR) currently in service, which operates at speeds of 350 kmph, a report by state-run Xinhua said.

More from World

Nepal's new PM pays homage to people died during the Gen Z protest in her first national address This Week in Explainers: How recovering from Gen-Z protests is a Himalayan task for Nepal

China Railway will arrange a series of line tests for the prototypes and optimise technical indicators to ensure the CR450 enters commercial service as soon as possible, it said.

According to the latest official figures, China’s operational HSR tracks have reached about 47,000 kms, connecting major cities in the country.

Though not profitable, China says the HSR network expansion has played a crucial role in the nation’s economic and social development, reducing travel times and boosting industrial development along railway routes.

According to internal surveys, the Beijing-Shanghai train service was the most profitable, while the networks in other cities have yet to turn lucrative. In recent years, China’s HSR exported its network in Thailand and Indonesia and built the Belgrade-Novi Sad HSR in Serbia.

Impact Shorts

More Shorts

‘The cries of this widow will echo’: In first public remarks, Erika Kirk warns Charlie’s killers they’ve ‘unleashed a fire’

Trump urges Nato to back sanctions on Russia, calls for 50–100% tariffs on China

With inputs from agencies.