Latest railway technology on show at Beijing expo

Advanced equipment, cutting-edge technologies and major achievements in cooperation in the railway industry have been on display at an expo in Beijing since Tuesday, aiming to promote international communication in the sector.

Nearly 400 enterprises from 14 countries and regions are participating in the Modern Railways 2023 exhibition, which will end on Thursday.

Formally known as the China International Modern Railway Technology and Equipment Exhibition and held every two years since 1992 — apart from disruption caused by the three-year COVID-19 pandemic — it is one of Asia's biggest and highest profile railway industry exhibitions and a showcase for scientific and technological innovation and advanced technical equipment, according to its host, the China Academy of Railway Sciences.

Coinciding with the expo, 10 forums are being held by China State Railway Group and the International Union of Railways, gathering professionals and experts from China and abroad to discuss a range of topics, including joint contributions to the Belt and Road Initiative, digital railways and modern railway logistics, aiming to build a high-end platform for global communication and exchanges.

"China's high-speed railway development has reached a leading level in the world," said Zhao Xianghong, deputy director of CARS' science, technology and information research institute, adding that the expo features a section highlighting international cooperation in the railway sector in recent years — including the China-Laos Railway, the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway and the China-Europe freight train service — that showcases the sector's contribution to the BRI.

Zhao said innovative equipment, especially that related to digital and intelligent development such as 5G applications in the railway sector, is also on display.