Length of highspeed railway lines in use worldwide in 2022, by country. As of 2022, China had by far the longest high-speed railway network in the world with almost 40,500 kilometers of high-speed rail lines; the country was followed by Spain and Japan, both with more than 3,000 kilometers of high-speed rail each.

China holds the undisputed title for the most high-speed trains and the most extensive high-speed rail network in the world. As of 2026, China's high-speed rail (HSR) network exceeds 45,000 kilometers, which is more than the rest of the world's high-speed lines combined. This massive infrastructure project connects nearly every major city in the country, with flagship routes like the Beijing–Shanghai line operating "Fuxing" trains at commercial speeds of up to 350 km/h. Spain follows in a distant second place with its "AVE" network, and Japan, the pioneer of the technology, remains a leader in density and punctuality with its "Shinkansen." China's dominance is the result of a multi-decade national strategy to move away from domestic aviation for middle-distance travel and to stimulate economic growth through connectivity. In 2026, China is also leading the world in the commercialization of Maglev (magnetic levitation) technology, with new lines being planned that can reach speeds of 600 km/h, further solidifying its position as the global powerhouse of high-speed terrestrial transport.