China’s state-owned CRRC Corporation on Thursday showcased a superconducting magnetic-levitation (maglev) train capable of reaching 600 kilometres per hour at the 12th World Congress on High-speed Rail in Beijing, billing the prototype as the world’s fastest ground-level vehicle. The driverless train employs onboard superconducting magnets and track-mounted coils to float above the guideway once it accelerates beyond 150 km/h, at which point its rubber wheels retract. CRRC says the system delivers an experience akin to “near-ground flight” while promising high safety standards, lower noise and reduced energy use compared with conventional high-speed rail. Although still a prototype, the maglev is designed for both intercity commutes and longer-distance corridors, underscoring China’s push to extend its leadership in advanced rail technology following the rollout of the CR450 electric multiple unit, which is testing at 450 km/h.