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China Rolls Out World's Longest Bullet Train Route

Trains running at 187mph between Beijing, Guangzhou

By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted Dec 26, 2012 12:33 AM CST

(Newser) – China has chosen December 26—Mao Zedong's birthday—to officially open the world's longest high-speed rail route, the BBC reports. The 1,428-mile line between Guangzhou and Beijing will cut the travel time between the two cities from 22 hours to eight, with bullet trains traveling at 187mph. China has been rapidly expanding its high-speed rail network, but it hasn't always been a smooth ride: 40 people were killed in a high-speed train crash last year and the railways minister who oversaw the expansion is awaiting trial on corruption charges.

A policeman watches while a CRH high-speed train leaves the Beijing West Railway Station.
A policeman watches while a CRH high-speed train leaves the Beijing West Railway Station.   (AP Photo/Alexander F. Yuan)
A bullet train G80 leaves for Beijing from the Guangzhou South Railway Station today.
A bullet train G80 leaves for Beijing from the Guangzhou South Railway Station today.   (AP Photo/Xinhua, Chen Yehua)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 24 comments
scott-houghton
Dec 27, 2012 3:46 PM CST
Anything can be built with slave labour. 
midget_farmers
Dec 26, 2012 11:23 AM CST
aint' it great what slave labor can buy.........  
Imhotep
Dec 26, 2012 10:05 AM CST
The minister will probably go to jail for life or executed. Unlike this country the guy would go to a cushy prison and be back on the golf course in a year.

 
China • Beijing • Guangzhou • high-speed rail • bullet train

 
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