China has set a new global benchmark in high-speed rail technology, achieving a groundbreaking milestone with a superconducting electric maglev train that reached an astonishing speed of 700 km/h in just two seconds. This remarkable feat was accomplished by researchers at the National University of Defence Technology, who conducted the test on a 400-metre-long maglev track.
During the trial, a one-tonne vehicle was rapidly accelerated to the record-breaking speed and then safely brought to a halt, marking it as the fastest superconducting maglev train ever tested. Footage of the experiment captures the train streaking past like a flash of silver light, nearly impossible to track with the naked eye, leaving behind a faint mist—a scene more reminiscent of science fiction than conventional rail travel.
The train levitates above the track using powerful superconducting magnets, eliminating physical contact with the rails and allowing frictionless movement. The electromagnetic acceleration system used in the test is so forceful that researchers suggest it could theoretically be used to launch rockets. At such velocities, the technology could dramatically reduce travel times between distant cities, potentially cutting journeys to just minutes.
According to the South China Morning Post, the system overcomes several major technical challenges, including ultra-high-speed electromagnetic propulsion, precision suspension and guidance, high-power energy storage, and the use of high-field superconducting magnets. Professor Li Jie of the National University of Defence Technology stated that the successful test would significantly accelerate China’s research and development of ultra-high-speed maglev transport systems.
The research team has been working on the project for over a decade. Earlier this year, in January, the same test track was used to achieve a top speed of 648 km/h. Nearly 30 years ago, the university also developed China’s first manned single-bogie maglev train, making the country the third in the world to master maglev technology.
This breakthrough offers insights into future transport concepts such as hyperloop systems, where vehicles travel through low-pressure or vacuum-sealed tubes at extreme speeds. The technology not only redefines high-speed travel but also positions China at the forefront of global innovation in transportation.
As the world watches, China’s achievement in superconducting maglev technology sets a new standard for speed and efficiency, paving the way for a future where travel times are drastically reduced and the boundaries of conventional rail transport are continually pushed.