China has committed almost $300 billion over the next decade to build the world’s most expansive network of high-speed trains, according to National Public Radio.

The world’s fastest train covers the the 664-mile Guangzhou-Wuhan trip in just three hours — at an average speed of 217 mph.

From Mark’s China Blog, critique and comments from China:

“This high-speed train development is great. Chinese trains are so crowded now. Adding high-speed trains onto the already running trains is going to make train travel much easier throughout the country. Such development will also decrease dependency on air travel.”

Critics argue that China is spending vast amounts of resources on public works projects accessible only to the wealthy, saying that money would be better spent increasing social services for the general public.

Recently, Hong Kong lawmakers agreed to connect the city to China’s high-speed rail system. The project was originally delayed over concerns that homes would be destroyed in rural areas.

View the map of current and planned high-speed rail in East Asia:

Wikimedia Commons’ map of Asia high-speed rail

In an op-ed Thomas Friedman quotes the New York Times Hong Kong bureau chief, Keith Bradsher:

“China has nearly finished the construction of a high-speed rail route from Beijing to Shanghai at a cost of $23.5 billion. Trains will cover the 700-mile route in just five hours, compared with 12 hours today. By comparison, Amtrak trains require at least 18 hours to travel a similar distance from New York to Chicago.”

There is currently only one high-speed rail line in the U.S. (in blue below) — the Northeast Corridor’s Acela express train from Boston to Washington, D.C.

In comparison to China, the U.S. has only committed $13 billion over the next five years for high-speed rail construction. There are ambitious plans for 11 different high-speed lines (in red below):

Map by the U.S. Dept. of Transportation’s Federal Railroad Administration

Ed Perkins, travel writer at Smarter Travel, compares European and U.S. rail travel:

“The United States forms committees and does studies; Europe and Asia build and operate. That’s been the recent picture for high-speed rail, and it continued through 2009. European railroads completed some important links in 2009, and several Asian countries are operating long stretches of 160-mph-plus systems.”

Yonah Freemark of The Transport Politic explains the recent expansion of the European high-speed rail system:

“Truly high-speed train travel, once confined to a few isolated corridors in France, Italy, and Germany, is rapidly expanding across Europe. With the opening [last month] of five new track segments to operations at more than 250 km/h (155 mph), the trend continues.”

View the map of high-speed rail lines in Europe:

Wikimedia Commons’ map of Europe high-speed rail

Hong Kong’s mass transit rail system (MTR) became a public-private enterprise in 2005 and today has more private shareholders than any company on the Hong Kong stock exchange.

Worldfocus correspondent Dave Marash reports from Hong Kong on how the MTR has changed society.

Thailand’s parliament elected Somchai Wongsawat on Sept. 17 following the resignation of Samak Sundaravej. The blog “2point6billion” points out the quick turnover of prime ministers in the last two years.

Israel’s ruling Kadima Party elected Tzipi Livni as its new leader on Sept. 17, putting her on track to becoming the country’s second female prime minister. “Yael K” live blogged about the elections, reporting about several disturbances and the closing of a polling station in Rahat.

Rwanda became the first country where women outnumber men in parliament after its elections on Sept. 15. The “Living in Kigali” blog outlines the day’s events and praises the order of the election.

Hong Kong’s pan-democrats retained most of their seats and the ability to veto government legislation following legislative elections on Sept. 7. Blogger “Elmer” describes the campaign atmosphere in Hong Kong, where megaphones blasted candidates’ messages throughout the streets.

Pakistan elected Asif Ali Zardari, widower of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, as its new president on Sept. 6. “Pakistan Policy Blog” criticizes the election of Zardari, saying that it was no victory for democracy.

Angola’s Sept. 5 elections ended in a landslide victory for the ruling MPLA (Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola). Human Rights Watch reported problems with media bias and state funding for opposition parties. Lawyer and blogger Robert Amsterdam of “Corporate Foreign Policy” discusses the legitimacy of the election.

Vanuatu’s Sept. 2 parliamentary election results were contested. The parliament will elect a new prime minister on Monday. “Seth,” a Peace Corps volunteer in Vanuatu, described election day in his blog.

And in current news:

Swaziland held parliamentary elections Friday — even though King Mswati III rules the nation as an absolute monarchy. Richard Rooney, an associate professor at the University of Swaziland, found the election laughable.

Slovenia held parliamentary elections Sunday, and Prime Minister Janez Jansa’s party may suffer from accusations of bribery. “Global Economy Matters” provides an outline of the election.