You have to also consider that China, is a centrally controlled authoritarian state. If the government says we want to build something here it is going to happen.
In the US you have a strong concept of individual property rights. The government can seize property through a process of eminent domain, but its difficult, takes time, and is politically unpopular.
Most of the HSR is built on stilts precisely so the Chinese government doesn't have to seize land, and most of the (agricultural) land it goes over is still being used in exactly the same way that it was before.
In the US and the West in general, that is considered an easement on the underlying land. Generally, acquiring new easements also requires eminent domain if faced with a hostile landowner.
well you also have a bigger problem than property rights in the US, we have politician's rights to deal with. The right they exercise in trying to dictate which stations open, stay open, and which routes trains will have.
There is already sufficient right of way in existing track to have high speed rail services but politicians are looking to grandstand which means primarily only new routes are proposed and conveniently in their areas regardless if service is warranted there, California's train to nowhere is a great example of this
In the US you have a strong concept of individual property rights. The government can seize property through a process of eminent domain, but its difficult, takes time, and is politically unpopular.