Will China achieve full commercial maglev networks above 600 kmh by 2028?

China’s Pursuit of 600 km/h Maglev Networks

China treats transportation like an art form—part engineering exhibition, part national flex. Its maglev prototypes gliding at aircraft-like speeds symbolize a future where cities feel closer, borders feel smaller, and commuters practically teleport across provinces.

Still, commercializing such technology requires more than speed records. Safety protocols, stable long-distance track infrastructure, enormous capital costs, and integration with existing systems all slow the sprint. A train that slices through air like a metallic comet still needs real estate, logistics, and maintenance plans rooted firmly in reality.

My prediction: China may debut limited commercial routes, but a fully operational 600 km/h network by 2028 is ambitious. Pilot corridors are likely, national-scale deployment less so.

The momentum is undeniable, but the finish line is farther than it first appears.