There have been more than 5 billion passenger trips on China's world-renowned bullet trains in eight years, according to new data from the national rail operator.[Photo/Xinhua]

China's 19,000 km of high-speed track represent 60 percent of the world's total. It is part of a domestic network of 40,000 km of track, which now connect almost all the provincial capital cities and cities with over 500,000 residents.

"China is the world's largest HSR builder and operator, the best all-rounder in technical know-how and the most experienced manager," said Sun Zhang, a professor at Shanghai's Tongji University.

On Wednesday, the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) said that China would aim to have 38,000 km of HSR by 2025.

By 2020, one fifth of the country's 150,000-km railway network will be HSR, connecting over 80 percent of major cities nationwide, said the NDRC.

The race to build is being done with no compromise in turns of safety. China's rail network, on which the world's largest fleet of bullet trains operates, has the world's best safety record, according to data compiled by the International Union of Railways and the European Railway Agency.

Besides, Chinese high-speed trains score high in punctuality -- 98.8 percent for departure and 95.4 percent for arrival at the final destination in 2015.

"Bullet trains are enabling the Chinese people to significantly expand their circle of life and travel, which is changing their lifestyle," said Shi Peihua, a professor at Beijing Jiaotong University.

The construction and operation of high-speed railways is also driving industries including metallurgy, machinery and electricity.

"The high-speed railway is a powerful engine propelling China's economic and social development," Sun said.