CHINA, SEPTEMBER 2025 — These Asian countries boast some of the world’s most extensive high-speed rail networks the rapid development of high-speed rail continues to transform global transportation, with Asia playing a pivotal role in this evolution. Recent data on national rail networks show that one country is a clear leader in deployment of high-speed infrastructure.

China holds the top spot in the world for high-speed rail length. As of the end of 2024, its operating high-speed rail network reached about 48,000 kilometers, with plans to expand to around 60,000 kilometers by 2030.

This massive infrastructure underscores China’s strategic focus on advanced rail connectivity, enhancing domestic travel efficiency and economic integration. It also places China at the forefront of global high-speed rail technology and large-scale project execution.

While China is far ahead, other countries also have significant high-speed rail networks. Japan’s Shinkansen system operates about 3,192 kilometers of high-speed rail. Spain’s high-speed rail network extends over 3,800 kilometers, making it among the largest after China and Japan.

China’s Beijing–Guangzhou High-Speed Railway is acknowledged as one of the longest single high-speed rail lines in the world, at 2,298 kilometers long.

China’s ongoing expansion emphasizes its commitment to modernizing transport infrastructure and continues to be a major influence on the future of global high-speed rail.

Source: Time Out