China interested in S’pore-Malaysia hi-speed rail, Chile ports

SHANGHAI: China is keen to help build a Malaysia-Singapore high-speed rail link and also to get involved in the construction of Chile's railways and ports, the official Xinhua news agency reported Premier Li Keqiang as saying on Monday.

The interest, expressed at meetings with leaders from Malaysia and Chile on the sidelines of a gathering of Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation leaders, comes amid growing efforts by China to export its rail technology and take part in overseas projects.

Li told Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak China was willing to "actively participate" in the Singapore-Malaysia high-speed rail, Xinhua reported.

It did not provide details.

Singapore and Malaysia said in February last year that they planned to build a high-speed rail link by 2020 that would cut travel time between the city-state and Kuala Lumpur to 90 minutes, without giving a cost estimate.

In a separate Monday meeting with Chile's President Michelle Bachelet, Li said China was keen to take part in Chile's rail, ports and utility projects and also to widen its involvement in South American construction projects, Xinhua said.

Chinese railway firms have been ramping up their efforts to win contracts overseas, particularly in the area of high-speed rail. On Friday, the sector was dealt a blow when Mexico cancelled a US$3.75bil high-speed rail billion contract from a China-led consortium, which had been a key first win.

The Chinese government on Saturday said it would contribute US$40bil to set up a Silk Road infrastructure fund to boost connectivity across Asia. Last month, it unveiled a US$50bil China-backed Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank. – Reuters