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 Book of 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-west and north-east regions covers 4.069 million square kilometers, and is recognized as the world's largest afforestation project.

The maglev train made its maiden trip on 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 with the ride lasting 14 minutes for 6.45 kilometers 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.

(Xinhua News Agency December 10, 2003)