With the new record, China has entered the international leading tier in ultra-high-speed maglev technology. (Photo: CGTN) Blink and you miss it! That is the speed that a train in China has just achieved. Researchers at China’s National University of Defence Technology have successfully accelerated a tonne-class vehicle to a record speed of 700 km/h within just two seconds.
World’s fastest train
According to CGTN, this achievement makes it the fastest superconductive electric maglev in the world.
The researchers achieved the record speed on a 400-meter magnetic levitation test track, the report said.
The superconducting electric maglev test vehicle also completed a safe stop, it added.
Li Jie, a professor at the NUDT, said the successful test will significantly accelerate China’s research and development of ultra-high-speed maglev transportation systems.
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“Going forward, we will focus on frontier fields such as high-speed maglev transport in pipelines, aerospace equipment testing and electromagnetic launch technologies,” Li told CGTN. “By promoting deeper integration between industry, academia, research and application, we aim to support independent innovation in national defense science and technology.”
🇨🇳China leads the future!
🇨🇳🚄China set a global record by accelerating a ton-scale test maglev to 700 kilometers per hour in just two seconds.
Dedicated to maglev research for 10 years, the Chinese technicians have overcome core technical challenges. pic.twitter.com/F1Mv8dUZvc
— Shen Shiwei 沈诗伟 (@shen_shiwei) December 25, 2025
What is Magnetic levitation?
Magnetic levitation is a transportation technology that uses electromagnets to lift, guide and propel trains without wheels, allowing the cars to levitate slightly above the tracks. Magnetic propulsion systems, achieved through magnets in the guideway walls interacting with magnets on the train, move the train forward in an almost frictionless environment.
Researchers say that with the new record, China has entered the international leading tier in ultra-high-speed maglev technology, and it also opens up new possibilities for the development of vacuum-tube transportation.
