From July 8th to 10th, the MODERN RAILWAYS 2025 is held in Beijing.

The global second-largest rolling stock manufacturer Alstom exhibited its multiple high-speed train models, aiming to showcase a "green and smart integrated" future travel vision. During the exhibition, Geng Ming, Managing Director of Alstom China, emphasized in an exclusive interview with National Business Daily (NBD) that high-speed rail technology is at a key stage of upgrading from "spee" to "smart" and "green".

Geng Ming said that facing the trends of green transformation and smart upgrading of the global railway industry, through continuous technological innovation that combines global experience with local practice, Alstom is committed to helping customers achieve sustainable growth and promoting the development of rail transit in a smarter, lower-carbon and more efficient direction.

Geng Ming, Managing Director of Alstom China Photo/provided to NBD

On Technology Trends: High-Speed Rail Technology Upgrading to "Smart" and "Green"

NBD: "Speed improvement" used to be a main development thread for the railway industry. Now, with the gradual popularization of high-speed railways, what does Alstom think about the next technological development trends in the high-speed rail industry?

Geng Ming: High-speed rail technology is at a crucial stage of upgrading from "speed" to "smart" and "green".Future development shows several trends:

First, sustainability. Energy-use management, carbon emissions, and material recyclability must be considered in train design.

Second, digitalization and intelligentization. Predictive maintenance, smart scheduling, and better passenger experiences are becoming standard in high-speed train operations.

Third, higher interoperability. Cross-border operation ability is key for mature high-speed rail, especially in diverse operating environments.

Alstom is committed to continuous innovation to lead high-speed rail technology in serving future smarter, greener, and more sustainable travel. We also explore technologies like autonomous driving, artificial intelligence, and remote control to maintain a competitive edge.

On Cooperation in China: Two Trains on Exhibit Manufactured by Chinese Joint Venture

NBD: Alstom has been in the Chinese market for over 60 years. What are the company’s expectations for future cooperation in China through this exhibition?

Geng Ming: MODERN RAILWAYS is one of the most influential events in China and the global rail transportation industry and an authoritative platform for industry exchange and cooperation. Alstom is honored to participate all along and regards it as a strategically significant platform for exchange and cooperation.

This time, the two Avelia Stream trains we exhibited were manufactured by our Chinese joint venture, Alstom Sifang (Qingdao) Transportation. In addition to high-speed trains, we also showcased Dispen railway hydraulic dampers produced by DISPEN, which has produced 1 million dampers for global markets.

Alstom hopes to leverage the exhibition to communicate face-to-face with customers, partners, and industry experts, share global practices, and listen to market feedback. It aims to enhance public resonance and expectations for future high-speed rail travel through representative products, solutions, and immersive exhibitions.

Alstom is committed to developing and promoting sustainable solutions for future transportation, leading the way to greener and smarter global transportation.