China gains 19 Guinness world records in 2003  ( 2003-12-11 09:59) (Xinhua)     The world's largest 
afforestation project, fastest commercial maglev train and even the longest 
continuous motorcycle ride with the rider standing on the seat without touching 
the handlebars were verified by the Guinness Bookof World Records in 2003 -- and 
all belong to China. 
 The second issuing ceremony of a Guinness World Records Certificate was held 
in Beijing Wednesday with the presence of Chief Executive Officer of Guinness 
World Records Alistair Richards and the president of its sole Chinese agent -- 
the Liaoning Publishing Group -- Yu Xaioqun. 
 The ceremony authenticated 19 world records altogether broken by Chinese 
teams or individuals in 2003. 
 The tree-planting project launched in China's north, north-westand north-east 
regions covers 4.069 million square kilometers, andis recognized as the world's 
largest afforestation project. 
 The maglev train made its maiden trip Sept. 20 in Shanghai. It took eight 
minutes to complete the 30 kilometers one-way journey --from Longyang Road to 
Pudong International Airport, making it the world's fastest commercial maglev 
train for sightseeing use. 
 Liu Jichun, who was certified as having made the world's longest continuous 
motorcycle ride while standing on the seat and not touching the handlebars, 
said, "The Guinness Book of World Records is becoming well known in China, and 
it touches people's lives in various ways." 
 China has so far applied for more than 500 records to be recognized by the 
Guinness Book of World Records, and over 40 of them have been officially 
corroborated so far, a manager of the Liaoning Publishing Group 
said.
 
   
 
 
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