[2][3] Initially known as the China Standardized EMU, development on the project started in 2012, and the design plan was finished in September 2014.

[4][5] The series received its current designation of Fuxing in June 2017, with nicknames such as "Red Dragon" (CR400AF) and "Golden Phoenix" (CR400BF) for certain units.

[6] It is among the world's fastest conventional high-speed trains in regular service, with an operating speed of 350 km/h (220 mph) for the CR400AF and CR400BF models.

The four foreign companies agreed to manufacture high-speed trains for China as well as provide technology transfer for local production.

Some of the Hexie (Harmony) train sets are manufactured locally through technology transfer, a key requirement for China.

The signalling, track and support structures, control software, and station design are developed domestically with additional foreign elements.

The weakness of intellectual property of Hexie caused obstacles for China to export its high-speed rail related technology, which led to the development of the completely redesigned train brand called Fuxing (simplified Chinese: 复兴号; traditional Chinese: 復興號; pinyin: Fùxīng Hào; lit.

[4] According to the arrangement for the China Standardized EMU research and development work, the EMUs will receive 600,000 km (372,823 mi) experimental verification and optimization.

[16][19] From the end of 2016 to the beginning of 2017, several subsidiaries of CRRC gained licences from the National Railway Administration to produce the rolling stocks.

[20][21][22] The China Standardized EMU started its experimental long haul service on Beijing–Hong Kong High-Speed Railway on 25 February 2017.

On June 25, 2017, the official public name of the China Standardized EMU was unveiled as "Fuxing", signaling a departure from the "和谐号" (Harmony) branding of the previous high speed trains.

Compared with the 16-car grouping, one second-class car is added to increase the passenger flow capacity during peak periods.

Although the overall data and structure are the same as the ordinary standard type, it has the added ability to withstand wind, sand, rain, snow, fog, ultraviolet rays and other severe weather.

As of 2023, it has not yet been put into commercial operations but according to Zhao Hongwei, chief researcher of the China Academy of Railway Sciences, the train's general design is expected to be finalized in 2024.