China unveils prototype of world's fastest high-speed train

A prototype of a new high-speed train that will run at speeds of up to 400 kilometers per hour -- making it the fastest commercial train service in the world -- was unveiled by China's railway operator in Beijing on Sunday.

The electric multiple unit (EMU) CR450 train will further shorten travel times on the country's extensive railway network and represents a step up from the current CR400 Fuxing high-speed trains, which run at maximum speeds of 350 kilometers per hour.

The new train has been clocked at up to 450 kilometers per hour during its testing phase, with key performance indicators, including operational speed, energy consumption, interior noise, and braking distance, all setting a new international benchmark, according to the China Railway group.

The CR450 outperforms the existing EMU trains in multiple areas, with better operation and control, improved safety monitoring, and the ability to conduct intelligent interactions with drivers and provide intelligent services for passengers.

The latest breakthroughs made in the development of the CR450 project will help boost China's railway technological innovation and independence, further strengthening the country's global leadership in high-speed rail technology, according to China Railway.

China has built the world's longest and most advanced high-speed rail network since opening its first high-speed line back in 2008. As of September, the country's high-speed rail network exceeded 46,000 kilometers, accounting for over 70 percent of the global high-speed railway length.

China unveils prototype of world's fastest high-speed train

China unveils prototype of world's fastest high-speed train

China unveils prototype of world's fastest high-speed train

China unveils prototype of world's fastest high-speed train

A montage showcasing traditional Chinese folk customs was aired during the 2026 Spring Festival Gala on Monday evening. The segment, titled "Horse Year Market", heralded the arrival of the Year of the Horse, which begins on Tuesday.

The sequence recreated the atmosphere of a holiday market commonly seen across China during the Spring Festival season.

Artisans shaped molten sugar into animal figures, a craft practiced for generations. Vendors prepared tanghulu -- skewered hawthorn berries coated in hardened syrup -- a popular festive snack.

Red paper-cuttings featuring horse motifs were displayed alongside lantern installations. Clay horse figurines were molded by hand, while families hung red lanterns to welcome the new year.

The segment ended with viewers from various countries extending greetings in Chinese and wishing audiences "good luck in the Year of the Horse," underscoring the gala's broad international viewership.

First broadcast in 1983, the annual Spring Festival Gala has become a hallmark of Chinese New Year celebrations in China. Recognized by Guinness World Records as the world's most-watched annual television program, it attracts more than 1billion viewers each year.

Folk traditions featured in "Horse Year Market" gala segment