Trains are known to be a much Greener way to get from A to B. Compared to a plane, trains occupy a footprint merely a tenth of that of a flight.
Trains are also a good way to discover a country and to remain at ground level for more unique sights and sounds. Trains thus remain a very relevant mode of transport.
David is also a rail visionary. In 2013, when the Chinese railways ministry was split into a state railways corporation (operator) and a national railway administration (oversight), he compiled, on his own initiative, a list of 100 suggestions to take this unique opportunity to improve the railways. Over half of these have been implemented, with some implemented outright as policy itself, and others integrated into improved railways practices.