China unveils railway sci-tech innovation plan for 2026-2030
Summary
China has released a railway science and technology innovation plan for 2026-2030 that targets breakthroughs in core technologies, smarter passenger services and greener rail operations. The plan includes research on 600 km/h maglev technology, upgrades to the 12306 ticketing platform and a push to peak railway carbon emissions by 2030.
Key Points
- China’s National Railway Administration has issued a railway science and technology innovation plan for the 15th Five-Year Plan period, covering 2026-2030.
- The plan aims to establish a railway innovation system by 2030 and create about 30 new innovation bases, 100 key technology breakthroughs and 500 major scientific achievements.
- It calls for research into 600 km/h high-speed maglev technology and upgrades to the 12306 ticketing platform for end-to-end intelligent travel services.
- China also plans expanded use of AI, industry datasets and low-carbon locomotives, with railway carbon emissions expected to peak by 2030.
