Speed isn't everything on China's new rails
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GT: How are our bullet trains positioned in the international market?
Sun: There is no doubt that we have a world-class technological level and speed.
The technology development route of our country is introducing foreign technology first, then jointly designing and manufacturing with foreign companies and finally innovating ourselves.
We introduced the foreign technology to help develop bullet trains with a speed of 250 kph and 300 kph (Siemens), and then make a breakthrough to develop trains with a speed of 350 kph. Although we claim full intellectual property rights, foreign countries think differently.
In the Chronicle of World Railways issued by Germany in 2009, the words under a picture of China's CRH-3 read "China's ICE-3 Velaro." China's CRH-3 was developed based on technologies of the German firm Siemens. We should try to avoid the risk of intellectual property disputes.
Another challenge is the international worries about speed. Not long ago, the Ministry of Railways bid on a program in Saudi Arabia with the 350 kph bullet trains but failed.
It was mainly because China's speed safety was not totally recognized. It is understandable. After all, such a speed has been managed in China for about two years.
We should take gradual steps to enter into the global market. First, we export 250 kph bullet trains, then we can export 350 kph ones. Both China and the international community need time to test the safety.
It is better for us to cooperate with other countries so we could share the risks.
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