China has launched its own version of Japan's famous bullet trains, capable of speeds up to 250 kph, but officials say the trains will have to keep to the national speed limit of 160 kph until mid-April to give drivers time to get used to them.

 

It is the latest stage in a multi-billion dollar upgrade for the country’s rail system.

The CRH (China Railway High-Speed) trains are expected to cut travel time on the key Shanghai-Beijing route from the current nine hours to five.

 

The trains are initially being tested on routes between Shanghai and the cities of Hangzhou to the southwest and Nanjing to the west.

The trains will also begin to operate between the southern city of Guangzhou and Shenzhen, on the border with Hong Kong, from the beginning of February.

 

The launch comes as China braces itself for its busiest travel season, the annual Chinese New Year holidays when millions of Chinese return home or go on vacation.

 

Rail officials say they expect 156 million passengers to use China’s railway network over the festival period.

 

China is investing heavily in modernising and expanding its railway network to cope with fast-growing business and tourist travel driven by a booming economy.

 

The trains were built by two Chinese-foreign joint ventures, one involving Canada's Bombardier and the other involving Japan's Kawasaki Heavy Industries.

 

Business and tourist travel, driven by China's  booming economy, is growing rapidly [Reuters]