Shanghai to Hangzhou in 26 minutes

Ever wonder what world leaders (or maybe the right-hand men of world leaders) talk about when they get together? Fast trains! Really fast trains:

The green light has been given to a second German high-speed magnetic levitation (maglev) rail line, to link the economic hub of Shanghai with the eastern city of Hangzhou, a government source said.

“It was approved at a regular meeting of the State Council (Cabinet) recently,” said the source in Shanghai.

He said Premier Wen Jiabao had discussed the issue with German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier during his two-day trip to Beijing that ended on Thursday.

The story says the 30 km maglev that heads to the Pudong airport cost US$1.2 billion to construct. Just a guess, but we bet the Shanghai-Hangzhou line (170 km) will cost ... a lot.

The trip to Hangzhou would take only 26 minutes on the maglev. That's quicker than your cab ride to the maglev station.

UPDATE: Looks like this may not be a done deal.