this post was submitted on 13 Dec 2025
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Whatever you think about China, you gotta give them some credit for their public transport. Right now, China's total metro system length is almost equal to the rest of the world combined.
Furthermore, out of 12 longest metro systems in the world, 11 are in China. The remaining one is in Russia. Just crazy numbers.
This is probably unachievable in Western countries, since they expect the metro systems to make a profit, which makes no sense whatsoever. Some don't, of course, and they, too, have respectable subway configurations.
Source: Wikipedia | List of metro systems
i have many issues with the ethics and morals that comprise the current chinese dynasty. but they are extraordinarily rational when it comes to the great imperial forces of the world. it costs a government less, long term, to implement big public works projects. the technology for high speed rail will reduce traffic jams, reduce infrastructure maintenance costs, and boost the economy but it will take 30 years to bear fruit? china will do that because it's cheaper.
meanwhile here everything is analyzed and implemented in 2 year increments. it's unsustainable
Do you direct those same ethics and morals that you claim to have towards the US or not? Otherwise your point is useless.
NASA was a 200% return on investment when it was cut due to being "too expensive" by Nixon
Every single universal healthcare system is cheaper than the US model.
Then there's the consistent cuts to education where investments return 200%-1000%...
...
FWIW I think both US and China are terribly flawed systems.
Ids like comparing the Mongolian empire and the Crusaders. They both sucked ass.
The good within a border never justifies the evil inherent in its maintenance, at least not in the long run.
Though both of your example are invaders so 🤷
Imperialistic was what I was going for, both of which are prime examples of their eras version. Don't be fooled by pretty language China and the US are beth imperial powers and both deserve to be sent to the dustbin of history.
"hey, this guy said all empires suck but that of the empires china is the most well run. let me just assume he doesn't criticize or try to dissolve the empire he directly suffers under"
It's the difference between making profit
And value
Businesses are absolutely profiting off Chinese HSR. They just aren't the rail network operators. They're the operator's clients.
Incidentally, America does have comparable systems. We just do it for cars and planes, not trains