介绍了高速铁路的产生过程、定义、主要类型、主要技术经济优势、世界高速铁路的现状和发展趋势；论述了高速铁路是高新技术的综合集成，包括高速铁路线路是高速行车的基础，高速列车是高速行车的核心，行车指挥系统是高速行车的中枢，安全监控系统是高速行车的保障。

This article has provided an introduction to the generating process, definition, main types and critical technical and economic advantages of high speed railway, as well as the current situation and development trend of high speed railway in the world, and expounded that the high speed railway embodys high and latest techniques, e. g. the track of high speed railway is the foundation of high speed operation, high speed train is the heart of high speed operation, train performance control system is the main center of high speed operation ,safety monitoring system is the guarantee of high speed operation.