Although Britain is still examining the case to build a new high speed rail from London to the East Midlands and North, which may be opened by 2025, China has announced plans to build 35 high speed routes by 2012.

The chief planner with the railway ministry, Zheng Jian, says that around 13,000 kilometers of high speed railway could be completed and put into service by 2012. These lines could handle trains flying at speeds of 200 to 350 kilometers an hour. This is, of course, in addition to the 5,000 kilometers of high speed railway that will begin soon.

Chinese media has said that the railways were among the most benefited from the government’s 4 trillion yuan (or £350 billion) stimulus package. New stations will be going up along with the new lines. By the time 2020 rolls around, more than a thousand will be built or reconstructed. About 800 of these will be in use by 2012.

The first five routes will be able to accommodate trains traveling speeds of 350 kilometers an hour, or 220 miles per hour. Right now China has 185 kilometers of track that are capable of handling trains at this speed. This includes links between Beijing and Tianjin, which was opened for the 2008 Olympic Games.

The rail that will connect Beijing to Shanghai may just end up being the fastest. The railway ministry said that the speeds on this track are set to top speeds over 350 kilometers an hour. However, just how fast the trains will be able to move has yet to be noted.