A train attendant wearing the traditional clothing of the Miao ethnic group serves passengers on the Guiyang-Guangzhou high-speed railway in December. Cao Ning / For China Daily

With more than 16,000 kilometers of high-speed rail network so far, China has 60 percent of the world's total. Based on such a miracle, achieved within about ten years, Premier Li Keqiang has been going all-out to sell the country's high-speed railway capabilities around the world during his overseas trips.

Having worked in Brussels for several years, I have not had a chance to take a high-speed train in China, until I took a train from Beijing to Zhengzhou in Henan province during the recent Spring Festival to visit my relatives. Frankly, this was both a happy and annoying journey.

Shortly after I landed in Beijing airport on the early morning of the sixth day of Lunar New Year, I took a taxi to Beijing West Train Station, where I could only buy a privileged guest ticket on the self-service machine, which cost two times more than a second class ticket.

Having learned from the media that China's high-speed railway services are comparable to those offered on the flight when the bullet trains were first put into operation, I thought I would be treated as distinguished guest on the train.

After the safety checks, I entered the waiting hall and waiting to be called to take train at eight o'clock without queuing because I had a special ticket. However, I was not asked to enjoy such privilege, and I joined a long line to the platform.

My carriage was in the very front of the train, and I was the only guest in the carriage. Many reports have revealed that such seats are difficult to sell due to the high price.

It was in the early morning. I thought the attendants, would serve me with breakfast, or at least water. But instead a middle-aged male attendant checked my ticket again. I asked about breakfast and he replied it would be offered soon.