Shanghai Maglev Extension Back on the Table

May 29, 2007 (LPAC)--Various authoritative voices in China indicated May 29, that the construction of Shanghai's maglev line, extending its route through the Shanghai terminus at Loyang, to Hangqiao Airport, and then potentially to the city of Hangzhou, has not been suspended, but is back on the table.

On May 26, the People's Daily reported, citing among the reasons for the suspension the pseudo-issue of "radiation from the tracks." However, the May 29 XFN-Asia , quoted in Forbes.com , reported that, "Shanghai officials have backtracked on state-media reports that plans to build a high-speed magnetic levitation train linking Shanghai and the eastern city of Hangzhou have been suspended due to health concerns. Zhang Qing, a spokeswoman of the Shanghai government, said there has been no notice of any suspension of the project."

While it is not clear what is involved, two aspects are to be noted. First, German President Horst Koehler was visiting Shanghai when the alleged suspension was announced. Second, China is developing its own in-house maglev system, while the 170 kilometer maglev route from Shanghai to Hangzhou, as currently proposed, is supposed to run on Germany's Transrapid system. China has long wanted more technology-sharing from Germany.

LPAC will monitor future developments.