China's CR450 high-speed train marks breakthrough in commercial speed trial

China's newly-unveiled CR450 bullet train, with a top speed of 450 kilometers per hour (kph) and a commercial operating speed of 400 kph, is set to mark a milestone in the speed of commercial operation of high-speed railways, promising faster, safer and more energy-efficient journeys.

A prototype of the CR450 bullet train that will run at 400 kph debuted in Beijing on Sunday, said the country's railway operator China State Railway Group Co., Ltd.

The train is capable of running at 450 kilometers per hour in test.

Since 2018, China has been researching the foundational theories and key technologies for high-speed rail operating at 400 kph.

After seven years of development, the CR450 prototype was launched, marking a significant milestone as the country completes its exploration into commercial operations at an unprecedented speed.

In 2021, the CR450 technological innovation project was officially launched, focusing on the development of the 400-kph CR450 train and integrated high-speed rail infrastructure technologies.

By 2022, the CR450's technical specifications were finalized and rigorous tests and simulations were conducted.

In 2022 and 2023, new components were tested on the CR450 train on the Mile-Mengzi and Fuzhou-Xiamen-Zhangzhou high-speed railways to verify key technologies and component performance.

In 2024, production of the CR450 prototype began, incorporating smart manufacturing techniques and robust quality control to ensure the smooth rollout of the first train.

"The CR450 train is a new generation of trains developed to strengthen and expand China's leadership in high-speed rail technology. It features a higher speed, enhanced safety, greater energy efficiency, smarter operation and improved passenger comfort," said Zhao Hongwei, chief researcher of the China Academy of Railway Sciences.

The CR450's key performance indicators, namely operating speed, energy consumption, interior noise and braking distance, are setting a new international benchmark.

The train is 22 percent more energy-efficient, with a 10-percent reduction in weight and a 2-decibel reduction in cabin noise.

Passenger service space has increased by 4 percent and intelligent features, including advanced train control, driver interaction, safety monitoring and passenger services, have been upgraded.

"Next, we will meticulously organize and schedule a series of tests and assessments in multiple scenarios and at various speed levels to further evaluate the CR450's performance and accelerate its readiness for commercial operation," said Zhang Dayong, director of the Science and Information Technology Department of China State Railway Group Co., Ltd.

China's CR450 high-speed train marks breakthrough in commercial speed trial

China's CR450 high-speed train marks breakthrough in commercial speed trial

China's CR450 high-speed train marks breakthrough in commercial speed trial

China's CR450 high-speed train marks breakthrough in commercial speed trial

China has made steady progress in building a more comprehensive childbearing support policy system, as a package of measures including childcare subsidies, tax deductions and expanded childcare services have taken effect nationwide in recent years to promote high-quality population development.

As the latest efforts, the 2026 childcare subsidy scheme has opened for application nationwide. Eligible families with children under the age of three can receive an annual subsidy of 3,600 yuan (about 516 U.S. dollars) per child.

Meanwhile, China has also raised the threshold for special additional deductions in individual income tax for taking care of children under age three as well as for children's education from 1,000 yuan to 2,000 yuan monthly (around 143 to 287 U.S. dollars) since Jan 1, 2023.

Fan, a new mother in Nanning City, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, said that all these policies have brought greater subsidies and improved services.

"After going through the whole process, the subsidies are greater. Whether in terms of costs or services, I think they are all very good," she said.

With policy support, local governments have vigorously developed diversified childcare services, including integrated childcare and early education programs, community-embedded childcare facilities, and employer-sponsored childcare services.

So far, 1,315 counties, cities, districts and banners nationwide have introduced support measures such as construction subsidies, operational subsidies and family consumption vouchers for childcare services, effectively reducing the cost burden on families.

The national average price of full-day childcare services has dropped by 29 percent.

At the same time, a total of 4,845 secondary and tertiary public general hospitals across the country are now able to provide pediatric services.

About 80,000 childcare service institutions have signed agreements with medical and health institutions to establish health growth records for enrolled infants and toddlers, further advancing the building of a childbearing-friendly society in an all-round way.

China expands childbearing support policies to promote high-quality population development