12th World Congress on High-Speed Rail Held in Beijing: How Is China's High-Speed Rail "Driving" Globally?

【字体：大中小】

　　On July 11, the four-day 12th World Congress on High-Speed Rail concluded in Beijing. Marking the 200th anniversary of the world's first railway, the congress gathered government officials, diplomats, business leaders and experts from International Union of Railways (UIC) member countries, regions and international organizations, focusing global attention on China's railway achievements. By the end of 2024, China's high-speed railway operational mileage reached 48,000 kilometers, accounting for over 70% of the world's total high-speed railway length. The "Eight Vertical and Eight Horizontal" high-speed railway network covers 97% of cities with populations exceeding 500,000, with 80% of the main network completed. China has engaged in railway cooperation with over 40 countries and regions. China has led the formulation of 13 system-level international standards in the high-speed rail sector under UIC. From China to the world, Chinese high-speed rail technology continues to evolve, driving global railway development.

　　The success of China's high-speed railway technology lies in continuous innovation and forward-looking research. "Maintaining foresight means facing greater challenges and difficulties. Despite many setbacks, we have persevered step by step, overcoming each problem. Strong support from national science departments and successive generations of researchers have ensured steady progress in China's independent innovation," said Jia Limin, Chief Professor at the State Key Lab of Advanced Rail Autonomous Operation. Over 30 years, Chinese R&D teams have humbly learned from advanced technologies while adhering to independent innovation, developing a comprehensive technology system covering engineering construction, rolling stock manufacturing and intelligent operation management, alongside numerous scientific achievements.

　　Increasingly, many countries actively seek cooperation with China, a trust built on the Chinese high-speed rail's quality, efficiency and adaptability. This year marks the 8th anniversary of the Kenya Mombasa-Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway, built to Chinese standards with Chinese technology and equipment. The railway has boosted Kenya's transportation, exports and tourism, becoming a critical steel artery for East Africa's regional connectivity.

　　From the Mombasa-Nairobi Railway to the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan Railway, the Jakarta-Bandung High Speed Railway and the China-Laos railway, China has partnered with over 40 countries and regions across Asia, Europe, North America and Africa. At the congress, Dwiyana Slamet Riyadi, Chairman of KCIC, praised the Jakarta-Bandung High Speed Railway; Laos' Vice President Souphanh Keomixay lauded the China-Laos railway as a "golden corridor"; and UIC Secretary General Fran？ois Davenne highlighted China's practical experience and innovation as unprecedentedly vital to advancing global high-speed rail development.

　　“A thriving China high-speed rail innovation ecosystem depends on global collaboration, just as global high-speed rail innovation needs Chinese wisdom. We welcome this congress as an opportunity to share experiences, learn mutually, and jointly promote the future of high-speed rail worldwide,” said a representative from CR, one of the event organizers. The conference provided a crucial platform for China’s high-speed rail to engage with the world and foster cooperation.

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