The 12th World Congress on High-Speed Rail Opens in Beijing

　　According to a senior official from the Department of Science, Technology and Information Technology of China State Railway Group Co., Ltd., the World Congress on High-Speed Rail was initiated and organized by the International Union of Railways (UIC). The first congress was held in 1992 and has since been convened every two to three years. As a global platform for showcasing and exchanging the development and achievements of high-speed rail, it carries significant international influence. The 12th World Congress on High-Speed Rail is jointly hosted by China State Railway Group Co., Ltd. and the UIC, and organized by China Academy of Railway Sciences Group Co., Ltd. It is being held from July 8 to 11, 2025.

　　The 12th World Congress on High-Speed Rail features presentations by leaders from the International Union of Railways (UIC) and China State Railway Group Co., Ltd. on the development of high-speed rail globally and in China. Representatives from newly established high-speed rail countries and relevant experts will engage in a themed discussion on “HSR New Frontiers.” Two roundtable forums, themed “Innovation for a Better Life” and “Development for a Better Life,” will be held, bringing together officials from international organizations such as the UIC and the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), as well as railway executives and scholars from countries including China, France, Turkey, Italy, Spain, South Korea, Japan, and Poland. They will conduct in-depth dialogues on enhancing the quality of high-speed rail operations and its role in economic development, jointly exploring innovative approaches for high-speed rail to contribute to better living. The congress will also host 30 technical exchange sessions. UIC officials, along with more than 200 railway executives, multinational company leaders, and experts from around the world, will deliver speeches on six core topics: artificial intelligence and digitalization, infrastructure, socioeconomics and business, rolling stock and new system performance, operations and passenger experience, and network planning and stations. These discussions will explore development pathways for high-speed rail that are intelligent, digital, green, efficient, and internationally integrated.

　　The 17th China International Modern Railway Technology and Equipment Exhibition will be held concurrently with the 12th World Congress on High-Speed Rail. The exhibition spans nearly 40,000 square meters and is divided between two venues: the China National Convention Center and the National Railway Test Center. A total of 521 enterprises from 14 countries and regions—including CR, CRRC, CHN Energy, Huawei, Siemens, Alstom, Knorr-Bremse, and Vossloh—are participating. At the China National Convention Center, the exhibition is organized into ten thematic sections: rolling stock, engineering construction/infrastructure, communication and signaling, intelligent/information technology, passenger and freight transport, traction power supply, safety assurance, maintenance and repair, energy saving and environmental protection, and cutting-edge technologies. At the National Railway Test Center, 30 advanced real train sets and locomotives are on display, including the CR450 EMU prototype, new maglev trains, and new energy locomotives. In addition, six key laboratories are open to the visitors: the Braking System Laboratory, High-Speed Railway Pantograph-Catenary Relationship Laboratory, Wheel-Rail System, AC Drive Laboratory, Wheel Axle Inspection and Evaluation Comprehensive Laboratory, and the Railway 5G Innovation Laboratory.

　　During the congress and exhibition, a wide range of parallel activities will be held, including the High-Speed Rail Innovation Journey, technical visits, cultural and science outreach, and rail fan interactions. Exhibitors will also host new technology and product launches, along with signing ceremonies, to promote high-speed rail culture, offer immersive experiences, and enhance international cooperation. On the eve of the congress, the updated bilingual edition of China High-Speed Rail was officially published. The official mascots of this year’s World Congress on High-Speed Rail were also announced: “Fufu” and “Xinxin” in both Chinese and English.

　　A senior official from CR’s Department of Science, Technology and Information Technology stated that under the correct leadership of the Chinese government in recent years, China’s high-speed rail development has achieved remarkable accomplishments, becoming a brilliant embodiment of Chinese modernization. China has built the world’s largest, most technologically advanced, and most operationally diverse high-speed rail network. With a total operating mileage of 48,000 kilometers—accounting for over 70% of the global high-speed rail network—it now covers 97% of all Chinese cities with populations over 500,000. A comprehensive and complete high-speed rail technology system has taken shape, covering engineering construction, equipment manufacturing, and operation management. A wide range of technological innovations, represented by the Fuxing EMU trains, has been developed, setting international benchmarks for high-speed rail technology. China has also established a safe and efficient operating system: the number of EMU trains operating in a single day can reach 10,000, with daily passenger volumes exceeding 16 million. To date, EMU trains in China have carried more than 22.9 billion passengers. The development of high-speed rail has significantly enhanced people’s quality of life—greatly facilitating travel, boosting regional connectivity, and promoting coordinated economic and social development. It has also spurred urban growth and industrial expansion along the routes. Moreover, it has become a key driver of infrastructure connectivity and cultural exchange among countries under BRI cooperation, increasingly serving as a vital public good for all humanity. China has led the development of all 13 system-level international standards for high-speed rail under the International Union of Railways (UIC), systematically improving the technical standard system for high-speed rail and contributing Chinese wisdom and solutions to global high-speed rail development.

　　The official noted that this year marks the 200th anniversary of the birth of railways, making the hosting of the World Congress on High-Speed Rail in Beijing particularly significant. It fully reflects China's important position and role in the global high-speed rail development process. Rich in content, highlights, and broad participation, this strategically oriented and forward-looking congress is expected to further advance international cooperation and exchanges, foster better living through innovation, and inject fresh momentum into the global high-speed rail industry.