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On August 18th, on a high-speed train from Shanghai Hongqiao to Dalian North, two young brothers started fighting while their mother was using the restroom. The entire altercation was silent—they only used their hands, not their voices. A nearby passenger and a train attendant tried to intervene but were unsuccessful. Shortly after, the mother returned and separated the two. After a passenger recorded and shared the scene online, many netizens praised the children for not disturbing other passengers and suggested that high-speed trains establish “family-friendly carriages” to prevent children’s disruptive behavior from bothering others.

Children are naturally active and energetic, especially during long journeys where confined seating and extended travel times can make them restless. However, high-speed trains, as enclosed public spaces, have high expectations for quiet. Disruptive behaviors like loud shouting or running around often lead to passenger dissatisfaction and can even escalate into conflicts between travelers and parents. In this context, the brothers’ “silent fight” was seen by some as a refreshing exception.

However, one of the brothers is 5 years old and the other is 10—old enough to have a reasonable understanding of train etiquette. For younger children, expecting them to remain quiet for the entire journey is often unrealistic.

Fuzhou Railway authorities have experimented with designating children’s activity areas, providing toys, books, and interactive sessions to help children release energy and avoid disturbing other passengers. This kind of humane and differentiated public service innovation offers a reference for addressing disruptions caused by young travelers.

Anyone could find themselves traveling with children on a train, so introducing “play carriages” or “family-friendly compartments” on high-speed trains is a broadly beneficial measure and has increasingly become a societal consensus.

Of course, creating such carriages involves modifications and would inevitably increase operational costs. How to manage these additional expenses requires a reasonable solution.

In fact, the issue of children being noisy and disturbing others is even more pronounced on conventional trains, so “family carriages” are also needed there.

Shanghai Hongqiao

Shanghai Hongqiao is a major transportation hub and commercial district in western Shanghai, historically known for its airport. The area has been dramatically redeveloped, most notably with the 2010 opening of the massive Hongqiao Railway Station and the adjacent Hongqiao International Airport terminal, creating one of the world’s largest integrated transport complexes. It now serves as a bustling gateway to the city and a modern center for business and conventions.

Dalian North

Dalian North is a major railway station in Dalian, Liaoning Province, China, serving as a key hub for high-speed and conventional rail services. It was constructed and opened in 2012 to meet the growing transportation demands of the city and to accommodate the new high-speed Harbin-Dalian Passenger Dedicated Line. The modern station significantly enhanced regional connectivity and is a central part of Dalian’s public transport infrastructure.

Fuzhou Railway

The Fuzhou Railway refers to the extensive railway network serving Fuzhou, the capital of Fujian Province, China. Historically, its development accelerated in the 21st century, most notably with the 2010 launch of the high-speed Fuzhou–Xiamen Railway, a critical segment of the coastal Southeast China High-Speed Rail Corridor. This modern infrastructure has drastically improved regional connectivity and stands as a symbol of the area’s rapid economic development.