A domestically-developed motor coach train, named China Railway High-speed (CRH), runs on the railway linking Beijing and Shanghai during a test operation on April 5, 2007. China will launch its sixth railway speed upgrade on April 18. [Photo: Xinhua]

A CRH motor coach train in a test operation on September 15, 2006. [File Photo: Xinhua]

Seats installed in the new high-speed trains can rotate by 180 degree to give passengers a wider visual coverage. [File Photo: Xinhua]

China's Vice Railway Minister Hu Yadong told the media Thursday that preparations for the upcoming sixth national railway speed upgrade have all been completed.

Addressing a press conference in Beijing, the vice railway minister said the new round of nationwide train travel speed upgrade, due to take place next Wednesday, will be a milestone in the history of China's railway industry. The railway speed acceleration will also qualify China as a leading country in the world that acquires its own railway speedup technologies.

According to sources with the railway ministry, trains running on artery rail lines will travel at a speed of 200 kilometers per hour, while on some sections train can be able to travel at 250 kilometers an hour.

Editor: Yan