中国花巨资打造高铁王国

Beijing's newest train station looks like a modern airport and a ride on its bullet train is nearly as fast as taking a plane. China's high-speed trains have come a long way from the steam engines that once chugged into the capital before economic reforms in the 1980s transformed long-distance transportation.

"This is how the majority of people travel across China. All trains like this go as slow as 55 km/h. When it's crowded, it's standing room only." And the journey can take days.

But that's no longer the only option. China is now home to the world's fastest train. Hurtling from Wuhan to Guangzhou add up to 400 km/h.

"This train is so fast. It's threatened airline tickets sales. China southern airlines is struggling to compete on this particular route as high speed railways changed the way Chinese people travel across this vast country."

China is spinning a web of high-speed railways with faster connections than ever before. The government plans to extend 3,000 current km of high speed track to 12,000 by 2012, estimated cost $360 billion or 60% of the stimulus package China enacted to combat the financial crisis.

"But if you're investing in high-speed railway system, you're sending checks to two million workers directly involved in the railway industry. So that's a very easy call to make politically."

China's rail system is now arguably the most advanced in the world. US company General Electric is collaborating with Beijing on technology to modernize America's own aging rail network. While nowhere close to China's investment, President Obama has committed $ 8 billion to high-speed rail.

"Our nation has always been built to compete. There is no reason Europe or China should have the fastest trains."

Just like inner state highways transformed the United States, faster trains in China will bring infrastructure investment and passengers to destinations deep in the countryside.

"Everybody wants to take the high-speed trains," this traveler says," It's less exhausting and more comfortable."

Critics counter China is overbuilding and that tickets on fast trains are too expensive for average citizens. But with living standards rising, more and more will be able and willing to pay, to satisfy the need for speed.

Emily Chang, cnn, Beijing

Glossary:

Chugged: if a car, train chugs somewhere, it moves slowly, with the engine making a repeated low sound

Hurtle: if something, especially something big or heavy, hurtles somewhere, it moves or falls very fast.

Spin: an act of turning around quickly

Enact: to make a proposal into a law