China unveils super fast Maglev train, could be fastest ever

The Asian nation has just showcased a new maglev train that is capable of hitting speeds of 600km/h, according to state media.

At the speeds the maglev train is claimed to hit, the Qingdao-manufactured machine would become the fastest ground vehicle, globally.

The speedster operates on magnetic levitation - technology that has been in use for over two decades in the country, but in limited situations; the train is outfitted with magnets and the track with opposing ones so that the train floats up and reduces friction, making the train go faster.

At 600 kph, it would only take 2.5 hours to travel from Beijing to Shanghai by train - a journey of more than 1,000 km; in comparison, it takes three hours by plane and almost six hours by high-speed rail.

While the city of Shanghai has a short maglev line running from one of its airports to town, there are no inter-city or inter-province lines in China currently, that could make good use of the higher speeds.