Workers assemble Fuxing bullet trains at a factory in Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province, May 10, 2018. The new 16-carriage longer model of the Fuxing (Rejuvenation) bullet trains is currently under the final static vehicle testing by train maker CRRC in Qingdao. The Fuxing trains are expected to carry twice as many passengers when operations of the new longer model start. (Xinhua/Li Ziheng)

A subsidiary of the world's largest train maker CRRC has unveiled a perpetual magnet motor powered by rare-earth elements, to be used in inter-country, high-speed bullet trains that run at 400 kilometers per hour (km/h). Such a speed would be among the fastest in the world. 

CRRC Zhuzhou Electric Co, the CRRC unit that specializes in manufacturing power components, released the TQ-800 perpetual magnet motor at a media event on Wednesday in Zhuzhou, Central China's Hunan Province, a key national rolling stock manufacturing center.

The company said that the motor fills a technology gap for 400 km/h high-speed trains, and paves the way for major technological upgrades for the rolling stocks in the country, the world's largest user of bullet trains. 

Compared with the induction motor used in China's bullet trains, the new motor boasts better efficiency, lower maintenance requirements, and can endure more complex environments, a staff member at the PR department of the company told the Global Times on Wednesday. 

While the induction motor currently in operation has the potential to drive bullet trains to over 450 km/h, China limits the speed of its bullet trains to a top speed of 350 km/h due to safety and cost concerns. 

"The new traits of the motor unveiled today will mean the new generation of bullet trains will consume less energy due to their higher efficiency, and they will cost less due to easier maintenance work," the company said.

The motor will drive up demand for rare-earth elements, noted the person. 

Chinese officials have indicated that the country may use rare earths to retaliate against the US suppression of Chinese technology companies.

It is worth noting that the Xinhua News Agency said the new motor will be instrumental in one of China's key transportation projects - the 400 km/h inter-country connectivity bullet train.

The project could refer to efforts with Russia, which shares land borders China and where a project to build a 400 km/h high-speed train is in process with the cooperation of Chinese companies, analysts pointed out.