On the right track to faster, convenient travel

When the Ministry of Railways announced its sixth massive speed-up on China's trunk lines on November 17, it was a continuation of a two-part goal.

First, as China matures in its economic development and its status in the world rises, it's eager to prove it can meet its technology needs with a minimum of foreign assistance and develop its own brands.

The other aim is by the ministry and a more internal one: to keep Chinese using trains to get from city to city. More urban Chinese are earning more money, and one of the results is that they want to travel more.