Reliable mass transport system is cited by experts as important in facing the issue of rapid urbanization. (Photo : www.china.org.cn)
China is currently in talks with around 30 countries over railway projects, according to a report from Hong Kong's Ta Kung Po.
Prior to the state visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping to the U.S., a China Railway Corp.-led consortium has inked a deal with American Western Express for the former's $12.7-billion investment to the construction of a high-speed railway in the U.S.
Moreover, during British Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne's visit to the country, Chinese investors were welcomed to participate in the High Speed 2 project bidding. The railway project, reported to be worth $17.8 billion, will link London, Birmingham and York.
The Indonesian government is also considering the country's offer to let its domestic businesses partake in the construction of medium-speed railway linking Jakarta and Bandung. Earlier, the project was for the construction of a high-speed railway.
Chinese officials have also met with Thai authorities in Bangkok last month to discuss a potential joint endeavor for the construction of a railway that will link the Thai capital with China's Kunming in the province of Yunnan. The project is expected to break ground before 2015 ends.
Another railway venture, this time involving a consortium composed of China Railway Eryuan Engineering Group and Russian businesses, is scheduled for completion in 2018. The venture will connect Moscow and Kazan.
The report noted that the projects which the Chinese capital has been in talks with other nations have a total of 5,000 kilometers in length and a total investment of around $157 billion.
For analysts, Chinese contractors have cost as their main advantage over competitors. Sealand Securities shared that a railway project partnered with European firms can cost $25-$39 million, while with Chinese firms, the amount can go down to around $17-$21 million per kilometer.
