The first post-pandemic talk for an international audience took place via Zoom video link at 24 May 2024 local time for an audience in Luzern, Switzerland. David gave the presentation from his place of residence in Beijing.
Trains transforming travel in China
Without a doubt, the arrival of High Speed Rail has completely transformed the way people get around in the Middle Kingdom. To ensure everyone was on the right track together, so to speak, David started with a brief introduction of the network in the form of a quick overview of railway history in China.
The first rails in China were laid in 1865, only to be unceremoniously removed by the ruling Qing dynasty. Yet with the first permanent tracks laid in 1881, China was on its way to becoming a major rail player, with a 160’000 km rail network planned as early as the first half of the 20th century, during the Republican era.
When the Communists came to power, establishing the People’s Republic, the railways grew at a faster rate, stunted only by chaos during the Cultural Revolution. In the Deng era and beyond, the country continued building rail lines, speeding them up, and preparing for High Speed, which, in spite of a slow start (Maglev? Conventional railway tracks?) debuted in the second half of the 2000s. Today, the network continues to grow at such speeds that the built network often exceeds that of the length in national blueprints.
Looking ahead, China’s High Speed system will form part of a new, three-level general transport network (rail + road, amongst others), which could see 400 km/h (no longer “just” 350 km/h) conventional-wheeled trains, as well as even 600 km/h Maglev lines (at least futureproofed). Major conurbations will be linked, but so will the West and border towns alike.
Of course, being likely the Swiss with the most rail mileage in China, David also shared some Swiss elements — including how some best practices of the Swiss rails can inspire China to build an even better railway.
Quick facts:
- Talk delivered 24 May 2024 local time
- University of Luzern, Luzern, Switzerland
- Spoken delivery in English (English + German slides), c. 1 hour
See also:
- YouTube Video
This video was recorded shortly before the presentation. The contents are basically the same, save for minor technical changes. - Details of the event on China Swiss Hub (host)
All images are used by permission and courtesy of myBow Brand Consulting, www.mybow.ch