(Yicai Global) May 23 -- China has rolled out the first magnetic-levitation train with a top speed of 600 km per hour, hypothetically able make the journey between Beijing and Shanghai in less than 2.5 hours at maximum speed.

The first 600 kph train lays a technological basis for the forthcoming engineering prototype, Xinhua News Agency reported today, citing Ding Sansan, head of a research and development team at CRRC Qingdao Sifang. High-speed trains generally go between 200 km per hour and 400 km per hour.

The engineering prototype is scheduled to roll off the production line in 2020 and go through tests to be completed in 2021.

Editor: Emmi Laine