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

Russia said on Saturday that its armed forces had taken control over two more settlements in the Sumy and Donetsk regions, while Ukraine, on the same day, reported strikes against a Russian frigate.

The Russian Ministry of Defense said in its latest report that over the past 24 hours, the Russian forces had gained control over the settlements of Vysoke in the Sumy region and Svitle in the Donetsk region.

The ministry also said its forces had struck facilities used to transport Western-supplied weapons, ammunition and fuel depots, as well as temporary deployment sites of Ukrainian forces and foreign mercenaries.

On the same day, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine said that in the early hours of Friday, Ukrainian troops had successfully hit a Russian frigate using drones. The warship was patrolling near an oil and gas production platform in the Caspian Sea at the time.

It said efforts are currently underway to determine the extent of damage to the vessel and to confirm its hull number.

It also reported that a drilling platform located at the Filanovsky oil and gas field in the Caspian Sea had been struck. The platform, owned by Russian energy corporation Lukoil, has been supplying materials to Russian troops.

So far, there has been no official response from the Russian side regarding these incidents.

Also on Saturday, according to Russia's TASS News Agency, Russian President Vladimir Putin's special envoy Kirill Dmitriev had arrived at a golf club in Miami, U.S. state of Florida, where he held a new round of talks regarding a draft peace plan to resolve the Russia-Ukraine conflict with U.S. President Donald Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner.

Following the meeting, Dmitriev described the talks with the U.S. as constructive and said that discussions would continue on Sunday.

A day earlier, Ukraine's chief peace negotiator, Rustem Umerov, and the chief of the general staff of the Ukrainian armed forces, Andrii Hnatov, had held consultations in the United States with American and European counterparts on the draft peace plan for the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Saturday that Umerov had briefed him on the previous day's talks between Ukraine and the U.S.

He revealed that the issue of territory remains unresolved and emphasized that Ukraine is committed to reaching a stable and lasting peace agreement that provides reliable long-term security guarantees.

According to Zelensky, the U.S. has proposed holding a trilateral meeting involving the national security advisors of Ukraine, the United States and Russia.

Noting that in the negotiations for a potential peace agreement, the most critical issue -- territory -- remains unsettled, Zelensky said that any agreement should establish the current line of contact as a ceasefire line, with the goal of gradually reclaiming Ukraine’s occupied territories through diplomatic means on that basis. He further emphasized that Ukraine has made it clear to its American partners that, under its constitution, Ukraine cannot cede any territory.

Currently, Ukraine is working with its partners to outline every clause of the agreement, ensuring that it is not a vague deal about the division of territory and resources, but rather one focused on stable, lasting peace and reliable security guarantees, Zelensky said.

He said the security guarantee clauses for Ukraine in the agreement must be fair and effective, and that Ukraine must be fully informed of the specific details -- including how the United States and Europe would respond and react if Russia were to launch another attack, and what kind of deterrence package Ukraine would receive.

Regarding elections, Zelensky said that two aspects require attention in any future Ukrainian elections: security and legislation.

He said that during wartime, ways must be found to advance legislative reforms, while voting can only take place if security is guaranteed. Ukraine has already discussed this matter with the U.S., added Zelensky.

Russia claims capturing 2 more settlements, Ukraine claims strike on Russian frigate