China has achieved a major breakthrough in high-speed transport after successfully testing a magnetic levitation vehicle that reached 700 km/h in just two seconds. The record-setting trial highlights China’s growing advances in ultra-fast rail and future transport technologies.
China has set a new world record in magnetic levitation technology by accelerating a tonne-class maglev vehicle to 700 km/h in just two seconds, making it the fastest superconducting electric maglev ever tested.
The test was conducted by researchers at China’s National University of Defence Technology on a 400-metre magnetic levitation track. The vehicle reached the record speed and was then brought safely to a stop, marking a major milestone in ultra-high-speed transport research, the South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported.
🚄🇯🇵 Le train japonais Maglev L0 ne se contente pas d’être rapide : il redéfinit littéralement la notion de vitesse dans le transport moderne.
Grâce à la lévitation magnétique, il flotte au-dessus de son rail, éliminant toute friction et lui permettant d’atteindre plus de 600… pic.twitter.com/hnV4VnZ3Ro
— Le Contemplateur (@LeContempIateur) December 4, 2025
Striking visuals from the test
Video footage released by state broadcaster CCTV showed the vehicle flashing across the track like a streak of silver, almost impossible to follow with the naked eye. A thin misty trail was left behind, highlighting the extreme acceleration and rapid deceleration over the short distance.
The maglev vehicle uses superconducting magnets to float above the track, eliminating friction and allowing it to reach extraordinary speeds without touching the rails. Researchers say the acceleration is so powerful that the core technology could even be adapted for rocket launches.
Key technical breakthroughs
According to SCMP, the test “resolves core technical challenges including ultra-high-speed electromagnetic propulsion, electric suspension guidance, transient high-power energy storage inversion, and high-field superconducting magnets.”
Experts on future impact
Li Jie, a professor at the National University of Defence Technology, said, “The successful development of this ultra-high-speed superconducting electric maglev system will accelerate the research and development process of China’s ultra-high-speed maglev transport.”
The research team has been working on the project for nearly 10 years. Earlier this year, in January, they achieved a speed of 648 km/h on the same track. Nearly three decades ago, the university also developed China’s first manned single-bogie maglev train, making China the third country in the world to master the technology.
Beyond rail travel
Researchers believe the electromagnetic acceleration system could have applications beyond rail transport, including aviation and space launches, enabling faster and smoother take-offs while reducing fuel consumption and costs.
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