A 301-km high-speed (HS) railway connecting Shanghai and Nanjing in east central China began its inaugural run on July 1. With a maximum speed of 350 kilometers per hour (km/h), the CRH train shortens the express trip time between the two terminuses from a little more than two hours to 73 minutes.

China's development of HS rails was late but fast. Its first HS railway, the 120-km Beijing-Tianjin inter-city line, was opened for service on August 1, 2008. By the end of 2009, total HS operating length had reached 6,552 kilometers. The Ministry of Railways (MOR) says an additional 10,000 kilometers of HS rails are now under construction.

Officials believe the HS railway is going to alter the picture of world transportation. Chinese experts say the country plans to make its contribution towards this global trend.

China has previously said it is prepared to share its expertise in HS railways with the world. "We are committed to an 'out-going' strategy. It means not only the export of products and service, but also technology and brand," said Chen Juemin, director-general of MOR Department for International Cooperation, during a recent interview.

China's achievements in HS rail have impressed the world. Since 2003 it has signed about 30 agreements or memorandums of understanding with other countries on cooperation in railway development. Chinese rail firms were invited to tender or participate in projects abroad. Last year, MOR received over 100 groups of foreign political leaders and government representatives.

"My job requires going abroad from time to time. Now I just don't have the time," said Chen Juemin.