CHINA: GERMAN CHANCELLOR GERHARD SCHROEDER AND CHINESE PREMIER ZHU RONGLI TAKE TEST RIDE ON THE NEW SHANGHAI MAGLEV TRAIN

Record ID: 859362

  • Title: CHINA: GERMAN CHANCELLOR GERHARD SCHROEDER AND CHINESE PREMIER ZHU RONGLI TAKE TEST RIDE ON THE NEW SHANGHAI MAGLEV TRAIN
  • Date: 31st December 2002
  • Summary: VARIOUS OF BAND PLAYING (2 SHOTS)
  • Embargoed: 15th January 2003 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: SHANGHAI, CHINA
  • City:
  • Country: China
  • Topics: International Relations
  • Reuters ID: LVAYD9QRUSNAXGTFESRIL15B8EL
  • Aspect Ratio:
  • Story Text: German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder and Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji have taken a test ride on the world's first commercial magnetic levitation train in Shanghai, paving the way for more contracts for the new trains in China.
    Schroeder on Tuesday (December 31) met Chinese premier Zhu Rongji (pron: zhoo-wrong-jee) for a test ride on the maglev train, traveling the 30-km-stretch to the Shanghai district Pudong (pron: poo dong) in just eight minutes.
    The track, constructed in just two years, runs from the city's financial district to its international airport.
    The trains ride on a magnetic cushion, instead of rolling on wheels, at speeds of up to 430 kph (270 mph).
    Schroeder toasted the test run and the close economic cooperation between China and Germany.
    "Dear Premier, ladies and gentlemen, apart from being the realisation of an important project, which is unique in the world, this project is also proof of the close cooperation between China and Germany in the economic field, also regarding the development of high technology," Schroeder said.
    Zhu hinted that the revolutionary technology could be adopted elsewhere in China after maglev trains begin running in Shanghai next year.
    He also applauded the smooth trial run.
    "The maglev high-speed train is very fast, has a large capacity and is energy-conserving, therefore it is very environmental, and above all very, very safe," Zhu said.
    "Therefore, today I rode on the train with my family including the third generation, we all sat inside the train, and I didn't even have to buy insurance!"
    Despite German hopes, there was no joint, political declaration during Schroeder's three-day visit that would give the high-powered Transrapid consortium billions of dollars worth of new contracts in China.
    China is currently pondering a 200-km (120-mile) route from Shanghai's airport to the city of Hangzhou, and a much more ambitious 1,250-km line linking Shanghai to the capital Beijing.
    Transrapid -- which groups Siemens AG, ThyssenKrupp and the German government -- is praying that success in Shanghai will lead to ventures elsewhere in China and the United States.
    Transrapid and Chinese partner Shanghai Maglev Transportation Development Co have said the first trains on the 1.2 billion euro ($1.37 billion) maglev track will begin commercial operation by the end of 2003.
    Schroeder left China after the maglev trial run. He had met for talks with Premier Zhu Rongji, President Jiang Zemin and Vice President Hu Jintao in Beijing on Sunday and Monday in which both sides had reaffirmed bilateral ties.
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