China plans to place an order for 60 Japanese super-express Shinkansen "bullet" trains to upgrade the country's railway system, according to a Japanese news report Monday. The trains are modeled on East Japan Railway Co's high-speed "Hayate" trains which travel at up to 275 kilometers per hour (170 mph)., Kyodo News agency reported, citing unidentified industry sources. The orders will be placed with Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd. and other Japanese companies as part of a project to upgrade China's key railway lines. A spokesman from Kawasaki Heavy said the company was in talks about a possible deal, but could not confirm the specifics of the Kyodo report. "Our negotiations on the project are still continuing and we cannot comment on its details," said Masahito Kodera.
