China will develop its own magnetically levitated (maglev) trains that can travel at speeds of up to 500 kilometers per hour, according to a government report.

A 30-kilometer-long test line will be built before 2010, said a report from the Ministry of Science and Technology.

The maglev trains are listed in the "national scientific and technological support projects" of the 11th Five-Year Plan period (2006-2010) that aims to "solve crucial science and technology problems that hamper China's economic and social development", said Wang Xiaofang, director of the ministry's planning bureau.

From 2006 to 2010, the "support project" focuses on 11 sectors that include energy, resources, environment, agriculture, materials, manufacturing, transport, IT and modern service industry, population and public health and urban development.

China built a 30-kilometre-long maglev link from Shanghai to the city's main airport, Shanghai Pudong International Airport, in 2003 using German technology.

China has just put 15 of its new "bullet" trains into service to help deal with the crush of passengers before and after the Chinese Lunar New Year's Day, which falls on Feb. 18. The current "bullet" trains have a maximum speed of 200kph.

Source: Xinhua