"China has set a new world record in superconducting magnetic levitation (maglev) propulsion, marking a historic achievement for transportation technology. 

Footage captured on Thursday demonstrates a research team at the National University of Defence Technology (NUDT) in Changsha, in south-central China’s Hunan Province, successfully accelerating a ton-class vehicle to 700 km/h in just two seconds on a 400-metre maglev test track, utilising a superconducting electromagnetic propulsion system before safely bringing it to a controlled stop. "The success of our ultra-high-speed superconducting electric maglev system will speed up the development of China's ultra-high-speed maglev transportation," stated Li Jie, a professor at NUDT. Professor Li Jie noted that this breakthrough results from a decade of dedicated research aimed at overcoming critical challenges in core technologies, such as ultra-high-speed electromagnetic propulsion and high-field superconducting magnets.

The feat represents a significant leap in ultra-high-speed ground transportation. The successful demonstration validates the feasibility of achieving aircraft-level speeds on land, transitioning from theoretical models to concrete, large-scale engineering accomplishments. Beyond civilian transit, the NUDT team underscores the potential for future military applications, including expedited ground transport for defence, missile launch platforms, and potentially supporting space launches. The successful test positions China as a global leader in the development of next-generation ultra-high-speed maglev systems, providing the country with a new avenue for future vacuum tube maglev transportation, as well as fresh strategies for aerospace-assisted launch and experimental testing."