Extended reading read the feature article about china's high speed rail . network racing towards the future. A look at china's high speed rail network in the distance, a White bullet nose train is thundring down the track. IT grows larger by the second until IT eventually slows and glides past the lines of waiting passengers. As IT eases to a stop, the train doors open with a hss and the passengers bored with eager anticipation. Then its doors close and the train departs exactly on time. Its progress barely noticed as IT quickly and silently gather speed seated comfortable ly in the well equip spacious carriages, the passengers know that they are journey ahead will be both effortless, less and relaxing. Such scenes of contented passengers being swiftly transported to their destinations are repeated many times of the day all over china as far as the high speed rail h sr network extends, since two thousand eight, the h sr network has transported over ten billion passengers, setting a world record. There are now more than seven thousand high speed trains running daily, some reaching speeds of up to three hundred and fifty kilometers per hour, the fastest in the world of train transport. The h sr network has an overall length of around forty thousand kilometers in Operation, covering almost all provincial level regions of china. IT not only greatly enhanced the national railways efficiency, but also serves as the engine that keeps the country's economic life blood flowing. However, china's high speed rail network was not built overnight. The h sr project began in the nineteen nineties, and IT has grown enormously since then. A key milestone was the release of the h sr network blueprint in two thousand four, when the plan for for vertical and four horizontal riders was put forward. Twelve years later, IT was upgraded to eight vertical and eight horizon corridors. Today, china boasts the world's longest and most extensively used h sr network and is rightly considered the world leader in h sr construction. This enormous success is inseparable from the visionary leadership of the communist party of china, as well as the great wisdom of the chinese people. With innovation and perseverance, they have climbed over hurdles and passed one milestone after another. The beijing shanghai, the world's longest line built in one stage, has the fastest high speed trains, reducing the travel time between beijing and shanghai from fourteen hours to less than five hours. The harbour darling in line, the first high cold high speed railway in the world, can Operate a three hundred and fifty kilometers per hour in temperatures as low as minus forty degrees sales. The beijing june jago line, the world's first smart high speed railway, has set the standard for h sr. Automatic, driving the fishing electric multiple unit emu, which made IT stay. But in two thousand seventeen is another remarkable accomplishment that demonstrates the technical skill in HSR design and construction developing manufacturer totally by china. The emu train boasts modernized features, elegant designs and advanced technologies that are superior to those of previous models. IT is built with a longer lifespan and an energy saving design to reduce their resistance. All these achievements showcase the whole hearted devotion of engineers, the tireless effort of railway workers, and the strong support of all the chinese people. IT is no surprise then that china's HSR network has grabs the attention of the whole world. In the spirit of international CoOperation, china has generously exported its technology and skills to many countries and help them construct high speed railway lines. This is in line with the belt and road initiative, which James to revive the ancient silk road and connect the countries along the road. The world bank has praised china's h sr. Success and its positive impacts, which go well beyond the railway sector to include urban development, regional economic growth and reductions in Greenhouse gas emissions. The h sr network has become a new symbol of china, and china standard has become the world standard. In the past, the h sr s path was filled with obstacles and achievements racing. Towards the future, china's h sr network will continue to grow, improving the lives of its people and strengthening unity among them. Now IT is shining a bright light on the track ahead to even greater success, so sit back and enjoy the ride.