High speed trains launched in China

China has begun running a fleet of high-speed trains, it has been reported.

The first of some 140 new trains capable of running at speeds in excess of 200 km/h was unveiled on Wednesday morning in a short run from Shanghai to Suzhou, reports the Xinhua news agency

The trip took just 39 minutes, halving the previous journey time.

The country has been in need of a new network for some time as passenger demands have grown considerably in recent years.

Chinese media reports claim that China carried around 25 per cent of the world's passengers and goods last year on just six per cent of the world's track.

"It felt like we were travelling on an airplane," passenger Chen Lijuan told the agency.

Officials told Xinhua that the new trains would boost passenger capacity by 18 per cent.

However, just 17 per cent of the country's track is currently able to allow the trains to operate at maximum speeds.

The introduction of the trains is a big boost for the country and potential visitors ahead of the Beijing Olympics next year.