China News Service Chongqing, April 16 (Xinhua) -- Why is it time for China's urban rail transit technology to go overseas?
——Interview with Wu Tian, Chief Engineer of Chongqing Rail Transit Design and Research Institute Co., Ltd., and Chen Xiaohu, Vice President and Chief Engineer of T.Y. Lin International (China).
Written by Zhang Xu
From Hanoi Light Rail Line 2 in Vietnam to the articulated light rail train exported to Mexico in Hunan, China's urban rail transit technology has attracted the attention of many parties at home and abroad in recent years.
Recently, in response to these problems, Wu Tian, chief engineer of Chongqing Rail Transit Design and Research Institute Co., Ltd., and Chen Xiaohu, vice president and chief engineer of T.Y. Lin International (China), accepted an exclusive interview with China News Service.
The transcript of the interview is summarized below:
China News Service: What are the "pioneers" of China's urban rail transit technology going overseas?
Wu Tian: As of December 31, 2023, a total of 306 urban rail transit lines have been put into operation in 55 cities in China, with an operating mileage of more than 10,000 kilometers. The huge market has promoted the rapid development of China's urban rail transit technology, and many technologies and products have been exported to the sea.
For example, CRRC Zhuji has exported urban rail vehicles to Europe, Africa and Southeast Asia, and CRRC Qingdao Sifang has delivered urban rail vehicles and diesel bullet trains to Brazil and Sri Lanka.
In July 2020, the first metro train developed by CRRC Zhuzhou Electric Locomotive Co., Ltd. for the Istanbul New Airport Line in Turkey rolled off the assembly line in Zhuzhou, Hunan. Photo by Liu Man
In March 2020, the diesel EMUs exported to Sri Lanka by CRRC Sifang Co., Ltd. were loaded and shipped from Qingdao. Photo by Zhang Jingang
Chongqing is the first city in China to develop a straddle monorail (hereinafter referred to as "monorail") system. Taking advantage of Chongqing's monorail brand, technology and management, Chongqing enterprises have cooperated with central enterprises to participate in the promotion and bidding of overseas projects such as Hanoi in Vietnam, Sao Paulo in Brazil, Bandung in Indonesia, Cairo in Egypt, Phuket in Thailand and Cebu in the Philippines.
Chongqing Monorail Industry participated in the 2018 Beijing International Urban Rail Transit Exhibition. Photo by Chen Xiaogen
Chen Xiaohu: In recent years, China's urban rail transit technology has relied on the comprehensive strength advantages of standards and products, especially the urban rail transit enterprises in Beijing, Shenzhen, Shanghai and other places have successfully gone overseas, becoming a business card of "Chinese standards" and "Made in China".
Vietnam's Hanoi Light Rail Line 2 is Vietnam's first urban light rail and a landmark project of the Belt and Road Initiative between China and Vietnam. From design, construction, acceptance to handover and operation, the line fully adopts China's urban rail transit engineering standards.
T.Y. Lin International (China) is also expanding its market in Southeast Asia and Africa, and some urban rail transit projects are progressing steadily.
China News Service: What are the advantages and uniqueness of China's urban rail transit technology, and why?
Wu Tian: At present, China's urban rail transit is not only in the forefront of the world in terms of industrial scale, product types and advanced technology, but also has made remarkable achievements in safety, reliability, economy and applicability.
Chongqing Rail Transit Line 3. Photo by Liu Yi
Behind these achievements, it is inseparable from the long-term investment and unremitting efforts of China's urban rail transit industry, as well as the active participation and contribution of many scientific research institutions and enterprises.
For example, while accelerating the development of urban rail transit, Chongqing has supported and cultivated dozens of local enterprises to participate in rail transit projects, and led the establishment of a complete rail industry chain with a complete structure such as technology research and development, planning and design, vehicle and system equipment manufacturing integration, engineering construction, operation and maintenance management, etc., which is the world's largest straddle monorail industry chain.
The assembly workshop of Chongqing CRRC Changchun Rail Vehicle Co., Ltd. is full of monorails. Photo by Chen Chao
Chen Xiaohu: From plains to mountains, from deserts to frozen soil, the complex geographical environment makes the construction of China's urban rail transit have rich construction experience and efficient construction team.
Or "forcing Liangshan" (limited by terrain, technology and other conditions, had to make a breakthrough) to create monorail technology, or "following the trend" to let the track pass through the building, "open the road in the mountains, build bridges in the water" tenacity spirit, so that Chinese engineers have made the impossible possible again and again, and have accumulated valuable experience for their global counterparts.
Chongqing Rail Transit Line 2 Liziba Station "Light Rail Passes Through the Building". Photo by Zhou Yi
China News Service: What are the difficulties and challenges in the process of urban rail transit technology going overseas?
Wu Tian: China's urban rail transit technology still faces some difficulties and challenges when going overseas.
First of all, the international market is becoming increasingly competitive. Europe, Japan, South Korea and other countries and regions have made good achievements in related technology, brand, experience, etc., and we participate in market competition together.
Secondly, there are differences in the standards and specifications of rail transit construction in different countries and regions. In the process of adapting to the standards and norms of different countries and regions, a lot of technical adjustment and adaptation work is required, and it is necessary to understand the local culture, laws, policies, etc.
In addition, the financing and investment of international urban rail transit projects is also a major problem. Due to the large scale of the project and the long return on investment cycle, it is often necessary to rely on the cooperation of international financial institutions or governments to raise funds. However, factors such as instability in international financial markets and political risks may affect the financing and investment of projects.
Chongqing Rail Transit Line 3. Photo by Gong Mengyuan
Chen Xiaohu: First of all, there is an increase in uncertainties in international cooperation. For example, the rise of protectionism has had a negative impact on global cooperation, and at the same time, the market environment has deteriorated to a certain extent.
Secondly, there may be differences in standards and specifications in different countries and regions, and products need to be adjusted or improved, or even redesigned, for different countries and different needs to meet local standards and needs.
At the same time, due to cultural differences and language and cultural barriers in different regions, it may also bring trouble to Chinese enterprises in the process of going global. This requires us to strengthen our cross-cultural communication skills, understand the cultural customs of different regions, and strengthen communication and cooperation with local governments and enterprises.
In addition, there are also problems such as foreign exchange settlement, talent pool, project management, etc., which need to be continuously explored and experienced.
Chongqing Rail Transit Line 2 Fotuguan section of a large area of beauty plums bloomed, and the monorail ran through the "sea of flowers", which was called the Chongqing version of "the train to spring" by netizens. Photo by He Penglei
China News Service: Why is it the right time for China's urban rail transit technology to go overseas?
Wu Tian: After years of rapid development, China's urban rail transit has accumulated rich construction experience, huge industrial scale, and continuous innovation capabilities. At the same time, the continuous growth of global demand for efficient, convenient and environmentally friendly rail transit also provides a good opportunity for China's urban rail transit technology to go overseas.
We have observed that more and more developing countries are interested in building low- and medium-volume rail transit, especially the straddle monorail system. In recent years, India, Brazil, Thailand and other countries have opened straddle monorail lines, and Egypt, Mexico, Panama and other countries also have straddle monorail lines under construction.
In the production workshop of Alstom, CRRC Puzhen, Wuhu Economic and Technological Development Zone, Anhui Province, workers are assembling straddle monorails for export to Thailand. Photo by Xiao Benxiang
In order to help China's urban rail transit technology go overseas, I have the following suggestions: first, it is necessary to strengthen technological innovation and R&D to enhance its core competitiveness, second, it is necessary to strengthen cooperation with international rail transit organizations and participate in the formulation and revision of international standards, and third, it is necessary to strengthen cooperation with financial institutions to explore diversified financing channels and models to provide stable financial support for international rail transit projects.
Chen Xiaohu: After years of development and practice in the domestic market, China's urban rail transit has become quite mature and reliable, with a perfect technical system and rich practical experience, and has also ranked among the international advanced level.
At the same time, the Chinese government also actively supports urban rail transit technology enterprises to go overseas, and helps them expand overseas markets through policy support and international cooperation. It is the right time for China's urban rail transit technology to go overseas.
From the perspective of the industry, priority can be given to technology going overseas, first introducing advanced technology into the local area, and then gradually establishing relevant industries in the local area, and then forming the entire rail system to go overseas.
In January 2017, CRRC Dalian successfully assembled seat wheels for the No. 3148 light rail vehicle in the Philippines. All 48 light rail vehicles exported to the Philippines have been delivered. Photo by Chu Han
From the perspective of enterprises, it is still necessary to invest a lot of technology and manpower at the beginning, while exporting technology, training local relevant professionals, and then gradually handing over the operation and management to local personnel, while enterprises are mainly engaged in project management and decision-making, and are committed to new technology research and development and new market development.
In addition, in the process of going to sea, language and cultural learning should be strengthened, and communication with local governments and enterprises should be strengthened. Fundamentally speaking, it is necessary for local people to truly experience the convenience and comfort brought by urban rail transit, so that China's urban rail transit technology and projects can better "go global". (ENDS)
Interviewee Profile:
Wu. Photo courtesy of the interviewee
Wu Tian: Deputy General Manager and Chief Engineer of Chongqing Rail Transit Design and Research Institute Co., Ltd., engaged in rail transit design and scientific research for more than 20 years, presided over the completion of more than 10 engineering designs of Chongqing Rail Transit Line 1, Line 3, Line 6, Ring Line, etc., edited 4 professional monographs on track, and won the FIDIC International Engineering Award, Provincial and Ministerial Survey and Design Award, and Science and Technology Progress Award for many times.
Chen Xiaohu. Courtesy of T.Y. Lin International (China) Inc
Xiaohu Chen: Master of Engineering Survey and Design in Chongqing, Vice President and Chief Engineer of T.Y. Lin International (China). Graduated from Tsinghua University and the University of Maryland, obtained a doctorate degree in engineering, won the Eisenhower Prize, edited 3 monographs at home and abroad, and presided over more than 10 scientific research projects.