China unveils the world’s fastest bullet train prototype capable of reaching 450 km/h

China on Sunday unveiled an updated model of its high-speed bullet train, which its manufacturer claims has reached speeds of 450 km/h during tests, making it the world’s fastest high-speed train.

According to China State Railway Group Co (China Railway), the new model, known as the CR450 prototype, will further shorten travel time and improve connectivity, making travel more convenient and efficient for the country’s large passengers.

The CR450 prototype reached a test speed of 450 km/h, with key performance indicators – operating speed, power consumption, interior noise and braking distance setting a new international benchmark, the official Beijing media reported.

It is significantly faster than the CR400 Fuxing High-Speed ​​Train (HSR) currently in operation, which operates at speeds of 350 km/h, according to a state-run Xinhua report.

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

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

Although not profitable, China says the expansion of the HSR network has played a crucial role in the nation’s economic and social development, reducing travel time and spurring industrial development along rail routes.

According to internal surveys, the Beijing-Shanghai train service has been the most profitable, while networks in other cities have yet to become profitable.

In recent years, China’s HSR has exported its network to Thailand and Indonesia and built the Belgrade-Novi Sad HSR in Serbia.