高速铁路是集多种高新技术于一身的复杂巨系统。中国铁路通过大力推进原始创新、集成创新、引进消化吸收再创新, 用短短十多年的时间走出了一条具有中国特色的高铁发展之路, 成为世界上高铁规模最大、发展速度最快的国家。本文回顾中国高速铁路的发展历程, 分析中国高铁在技术、安全、性价比三方面的特点。中国高铁的技术先进主要体现在运营速度高、建设环境复杂、运营场景多样, 并能与世界先进铁路技术相兼容等方面;安全可靠主要体现在建立了完备的技术体系、强化工程质量源头管理、加强产品质量准入管理、严格运营过程管理、开展自然灾害风险防控等方面;性价比高主要体现在建设工期、建设成本、节能环保和经济社会效益等方面。展望了中国高铁的未来发展, 提出应围绕国家“一带一路”和“走出去”战略要求, 研发更先进、更可靠、更经济的高铁技术, 确立中国铁路在世界的领先地位。

High speed railway (HSR) is an extremely huge and complicated system integrating many edge-cutting technologies. Via original innovation, integrated innovation and innovation by absorbing import technologies, China railway has explored a HSR development path with unique Chinese characteristics and become the world's largest and fastest growing HSR network. By reviewing the development history of HSR in China, this article presents an in-depth analysis on the distinctive characteristics of Chinese high speed railways, i.e., leading technologies, outstanding safety and reliability, and high cost-efficiency. The sophisticated technologies are embodied by the high running speed, complicated construction environment, diversified operation scenarios and compatibility with international technologies. For safety and reliability, a complete HSR technology system and safety assurance system have been established to reinforce control over engineering quality from the source and market access of products, intensify the operation management and enhance disaster prevention & control. The cost-efficiency is demonstrated in terms of construction period, cost, energy consumption, environmental performance and social benefit. Last but not the least, a vision on HSR in China is included, which also proposes that the railway should further concentrate on the national strategies of“one road and one belt”and“going global”, and make more effort to cement the leading position of Chinese HSR in the world.