China’s national rail operator is preparing to introduce a new category of high-speed trains capable of operating at speeds exceeding 350 kilometers per hour, signaling the imminent commercial release of its fastest train model yet. The move comes as part of a revised train numbering system announced by China State Railway Group.
The updated system will designate trains running above 350 km/h with the prefix “X,” derived from the Chinese character 新 (xīn), meaning “new.” This classification is intended for future services featuring enhanced high-speed capabilities, a company spokesperson said.
The change accompanies ongoing developments centered on the Fuxing series, China’s domestically designed and manufactured flagship high-speed trains. Currently, the CR400 model operates at speeds up to 350 km/h, but the new CR450 model is designed for a maximum speed of 400 km/h. Testing of the CR450 has demonstrated peak speeds of 453 km/h, achieved through aerodynamic improvements that lowered wind resistance by 22 percent alongside a 10 percent reduction in weight.
The National Railway Administration’s recently released five-year plan highlights the CR450 as a key focus for development in the coming years. China State Railway Group has reaffirmed commitments to expand and enhance the Fuxing family of trains as part of broader efforts to advance the national rail network.
Under the revised numbering scheme, trains with the existing “G” prefix will continue to operate at speeds up to 350 km/h, while the “T” prefix will identify high-speed services running at maximum speeds up to 300 km/h. The introduction of the “X” prefix increases the total number of designations for high-speed trains by approximately 40 percent, allowing for clearer differentiation as train technology evolves.
China’s rail infrastructure has expanded significantly in recent years, with operational railway mileage increasing 47.6 percent from 2014 to 2025, reaching 165,000 kilometers. During this period, trains operating between 300 and 350 km/h more than tripled to 3,149 units, and the daily average number of passenger trains doubled to nearly 11,800.
These developments underscore China’s ongoing investment in high-speed rail as it aims to maintain and extend its position among the world’s fastest and most extensive rail networks. The introduction of the CR450 and its associated service classification is expected to mark a significant milestone in this trajectory.