Technology

China first put a maglev train into service in Shanghai in 2002. It's just now planning to roll out inter city maglev services in the next couple of years. Call that a 25 year gap from first trial run to broad implementation.

So if they can put a Hyperloop into short limited service by 2030, you're still looking at 2055 for broad implementation.

I guess the point is that you can't get to the far future without first going through the near future. Difference is that Chinese planners and leaders will look at a transport plan that has goals out to 2055 and take it seriously. Western leaders only care about plans they can implelent this election cycle.