Report: China to order 60 Japan bullet trains
(AP)
Updated: 2005-11-22 07:39

China plans to place an order for 60 Japanese high-speed Shinkansen "bullet" trains to upgrade the country's railway system, according to a Japanese news report Monday.

The trains are modeled on East Japan Railway Co's high-speed "Hayate" trains, which travel at up to 170 mph, Kyodo News agency reported, citing unidentified industry sources.

The orders will be placed with Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd., one of six companies that won contracts last year with China's Railway Ministry to improve key railway lines, the report said. Other companies involved in this railway project include Alstom SA of France and Bombadier Inc. of Canada.

A spokesman from Kawasaki Heavy said the company was in talks with China, but could not confirm the specifics of the Kyodo report.

"Our negotiations on the project are still continuing and we cannot comment on its details," said Masahito Kodera, the spokesman.

Under the plan, China aims to double the speed of trains on five railway lines to 125 miles per hour, using Japan's bullet train technology.

Kawasaki Heavy Industries' successful bid was made with Chinese partner Nanche Sifang Locomotive Co.