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China

China to Decide on High-Speed Railroad Service by Spring 2003

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji stated that the country will decide by spring 2003 on the type of high-speed railroad service to operate between Beijing and Shanghai. This decision comes as Japan, Germany, and France have put forth separate proposals for the project. The construction of the railroad is set to begin under China's next five-year economic plan, which runs until the end of 2005.

Key Takeaways:

  • China will decide by spring 2003 on the type of high-speed railroad service for the Beijing-Shanghai route.
  • Construction of the railroad is scheduled to start under China's next five-year economic plan, which runs until the end of 2005.
  • Japan is proposing the adoption of its shinkansen bullet train, capable of speeds of 350kph.
  • Germany and France have also made separate proposals for the project.
  • A test track for a German maglev train is scheduled to be built in Shanghai.
  • Japan is willing to transfer its latest bullet train technology to China, as expressed by Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori and Minoru Makihara, vice chairman of the Japan Federation of Economic Organizations.
  • Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji is expected to ride a shinkansen and a Japanese maglev train before leaving Japan on Tuesday.
  • The 1,300km train journey between Beijing and Shanghai currently takes 15 hours but would only take 4.5 hours in a shinkansen.

Statistics:

  • The proposed high-speed railroad service would reduce the Beijing-Shanghai journey time from 15 hours to 4.5 hours.
  • The construction of the railroad is set to begin under China's next five-year economic plan, which runs until the end of 2005.
  • The shinkansen bullet train proposed by Japan can reach speeds of 350kph.

Sources:

  • Premier Zhu's statement to Asia Pulse
  • Japanese government's plans for bullet train transfer to China
  • Mitsubishi Corp. (TSE:8058)
  • Japan Federation of Economic Organizations
  • Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori's summit meeting with Premier Zhu
  • Minoru Makihara's remark during the luncheon meeting
  • Wikipedia article on the shinkansen

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