[USMA:24377] Re: AW: Gauge Width : Maglev

[kilopascal]

2003-01-05   I wonder if it can be assumed from the press release below that German Chancellor Gerhard Schr�der and Chinese Prime Minister Zhu Rongji have a good business relationship.   I wonder if one or more of our European friends on this list could write to Chancellor Schr�der as "a fellow European citizen" and express concern of the Chinese products sold in the EU that are not metric.    Chancellor Schr�der can be reminded of the directive EU 80/181 and its importance to the economy of not only the EU but to all of the world.  It can also be mentioned that as long as the US experiences no resistance to its continued use of obsolete measurements it adds a cost burden to EU citizens, their businesses and the EU as a whole.    China, one of the largest producers of almost anything needs to be persuaded to use SI strictly.  Even to the point of flooding the US with SI products.  By flooding the US with SI products it will open the eyes of the Americans as to the cost and folly of continuing into the 21-st century with two opposing measurement systems.   It should also be noted that measurement systems support standards.  US standards based on FFU are incompatible with ISO standards based on SI.  The incompatibility is a cost burden to all and must be dealt with, whether the costs are hidden or open.  World economic growth would increase if everyone was harmonised to the same measurement system and standards.  Europe was the leader in bringing SI to the world and needs to be a leader in seeing that it is the only system used in the present and future.    If Europe and China want to be world leaders they need to act and this is a perfect opportunity and example to show both leadership and co-operation to the whole world.   John       ----- Original Message ----- China's Prime Minister and Germany's Chancellor put the Transrapid Line to the Test Shanghai. The world�s first commercial Transrapid line has reached an important milestone in Shanghai today in the presence of Chancellor Gerhard Schr�der and Prime Minister Zhu Rongji. At 10:10 am local time, the superspeed maglev train started on its maiden trip from Shanghai�s Long Yang Road station to Pudong International airport and back, carrying prominent passengers. On the 30 kilometers long route the Transrapid reached the operating speed of 430 km/h planned for scheduled operation which is expected to start in Shanghai in 2004.