China's subway manufacturer inks landmark US deal

China CNR Corporation Limited, a leading manufacturer of locomotives in China, announced a subway export contract with the United States on Monday.

It is the country's first foray into the U.S. rail transit market.

China CNR will sell 284 subway trains worth 4.118 billion yuan (670 million U.S. dollars) to the transportation regulator in Massachusetts, to equip Boston's Red and Orange subway lines, according to the announcement.

The subway trains are designed to run 102 kilometers per hour and up to 129,000 kilometers a year on regular maintenance for at least 30 years.

The Chinese company also plans to tap markets in New York, Washington D.C. and other U.S. cities. They will set up a R&D base in the country to promote localized production by recruiting and training locals.

The United States contract means, throughout the value chain, China's rail companies now cover the world's six continents.

China has been accelerating attempts for overseas investment in its rail technology, with cooperative talks with 28 countries underway.