Since 2007, high-speed trains have been operating in scheduled service in China. Trains of the type CRH3, also known as the Velaro CN, run on the 117-km line between Beijing and Tianjin, which opened in 2008 and reduced travel time from 70 to 33 minutes.

Currently, the trains are running at a top speed of 300 km/h, but are approved for 350 km/h. The Velaro E, also approved for 350 km/h, currently runs at 300 km/h as well between Madrid and Barcelona. In June 2008, the CRH3 set a new Chinese speed record of 394.3 km/h.

The CRH3 is based on the concept of the ICE3 of Germany's Deutsche Bahn, but like the Velaro RUS is wider. Building the new standard-gauge line between the sites of the 2008 Olympic games cost about US $2.9 billion. The line is designed for a theoretical interval of 3 minutes between trainsets carrying 600 passengers each