China Announces Beijing to London High Speed Train Plans

According to reports, China has unveiled its very ambitious plans to export its rail technology to other parts of the world. This does include a global network that would slash train times between Beijing to London to as little as two days.

Just two years ago, after completing its first high speed link, the Chinese Ministry of Railways is considering plans to build two lines to Europe. One of these links will pass through India, Pakistan, the Middle East and stopping in London. The second line would head to Germany via Russia. There has been some talk of a third line that would extend south from China to connect Vietnam, Thailand, Burma and Malaysia.

Wang Mengshu, who happens to be a member of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, confirmed that work on the Southeast Asia line has already begun. He went on to say that they have also already carried out the prospecting and surveying work for the European network. Many central and eastern European countries are very keen for them to get started.

Despite this good news, there are some negotiations among other various countries that have only just started. Thus, it is unlikely that the line will not be compete before 2025. If China is able to pull off this ambitious plan, it would add a huge boost to its rail industry and would help Beijing recoup the billions of yuan it had invested to transform its aging national railway system.

On top of all of this, General Electric has also already announced a partnership with the Chinese state group to manufacture equipment for United States high speed rail projects. This will also offer a big boost for the Chinese rail system.