China Speed.docVIP

China Speed 　　ON February 23， 2016， American reporter Julie Makinen wrote an article entitled “Ushering in the Year of the Monkey at 180 mph on China’s Bullet train，” sharing her personal experience of travelling on train G609 on China’s lunar New Year. It was published in the Los Angeles Times： 　　“Nine years ago， China had not one such bullet train in service. 　　“A cartoon woman pops onto the onboard TV screens and begins reciting some statistics： ‘By the end of 2015， China had 19，000 kilometers of highspeed track in operation， the most in the world. That is over 60 percent of all high-speed rails in the world.’ 　　“An orange digital display at the front of the car tracks our acceleration： 290 km/h， 291 km/h， 297 km/h...” 　　Julie’s story reminds me that China’s high-speed rail， or“China Speed，” has become an important symbol of China’s development since the implementation of the reform and opening-up policy in the late 1970s. 　　From the invention of the wheel over 6，000 years ago， to the proliferation of automobiles， trains， steam boats， and planes in daily life， modes of transportation have transformed living spaces and lifestyles at an everaccelerating pace. High-speed railways create the illusion of lengthening lives by saving time. 　　China’s high-speed railways now act as a “golden business card，” introducing China’s manufacturing capabilities to the world， and the idea of“China Speed” represents Chinese people’s aspirations and their determination to create a prosperous society. 　　A new book， China Speed： Development of China’s HighSpeed Rail， recently published by Foreign Languages Press （in both Chinese and English versions）， showcases the achievements of China’s high-speed rail system which has received so much attention throughout the international community. Attractively presented， with vivid pictures and informative text， China Speed appeals to an international readership， and introduces the talents of top Chinese companies involved in the sto