CHINA DEBUTS WORLD'S FASTEST TRAIN

The world's fastest train has made its debut in China. Known as a maglev (magnetic levitation) train, it appears to be floating due to an electromagnetic force that sends it gliding above the tracks.

Back in 2019, a prototype of the new maglev train was revealed by the state-owned China Railway Rolling Stock Corporation. The train made its debut with speeds of 600 kilometres per hour.

Besides being the fastest train in the world, it also emits low levels of noise pollution and requires less maintenance than other high-speed trains.

While the train's debut was celebrated, it's yet to allow commuters to board. That is because there's a lack of completed maglev track networks in China.

Currently, China only has one maglev line in commercial use, connecting Shanghai's Pudong Airport with the Longyang Road station in the city, reports CNN. The 30-kilometre journey takes about seven and a half minutes, with the train hitting speeds of 430km/h.

There are various new maglev networks in the pipeline and construction has already begun on some of them. One of these lines will connect Shanghai and Hangzhou, while another one will connect Chengdu and Chongqing.

Image credit: The Verge