Delegations of Arab countries are praising China's high-speed rail at this year's China-Arab States Expo, with many of them showing willingness to cooperate in the field.
The China-Arab States Expo 2017, which opened Wednesday in Yinchuan, capital of Northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, focuses on cooperation on infrastructure and transport, with 43 ministry-level officials from Arab countries and more than 200 officials and company representatives participating in conferences on high-speed rail, aviation and railway logistics on Wednesday and Thursday.
"The willingness of China and Arab countries to strengthen cooperation in railways has been greatly enhanced in recent years. … China would like to share its experience in high-speed rail," Liu Zhenfang, deputy manager of China Rails, said at the China-Arab States High-speed Rails Conference on Wednesday.
Liu noted that China has discussed future tie-ups on high-speed rail with Jordan, Sudan and Morocco.
China's high-speed rail accounts for 60 percent of the world's total and cooperation on high-speed rail between China and Arab states is very promising, Yu Xin, a director at China Academy of Railway Sciences, told the Global Times.
China has gained an advantage in high-speed rail technologies, including experience in building railways on different landforms, managing and maintaining trains, competitive pricing and safety and comfort, Yu said.
Abdedafi Fadlalla Ali Mohamed, director general of Sudan's Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, told the Global Times that introducing China's high-speed rail technologies in Sudan will help the country facilitate its transportation and further deepen the partnership between the two countries.
"There are many Chinese experts on high-speed rail in Sudan, and we believe China has the experience and capability to help Sudan's infrastructure. It's a win-win step for both countries," he said.
Dr. Mohammed Al-Shafee, charge d'affaires of the Beijing Mission of the League of Arab States, told the Global Times that he has suggested to the organization adopting China's high-speed technologies and hopes to sign an agreement with China after negotiations with Arab countries.
"The high-speed rail will benefit all Arabs and link Arab countries," he said.
Yu said China faces fierce competition from Japan and Germany, which have more business experience in overseas markets.
"China and Arab countries should also strengthen exchanges on personnel and culture on high-speed rail, including offering professional training," said Chen Guanfu, deputy manager of the overseas department of Power Construction Corporation of China.
Chen added that high-speed rail plans in Arab countries should adapt to local environment.
The Power Construction Corporation of China is implementing 117 projects in 15 Arab countries worth $25.8 billion.
Approved by the State Council, the China-Arab States Expo is a global exposition aimed at promoting cooperation between China and Arab countries.
Since 2013, the biennial expo has been held three times in Ningxia, hosting officials and representatives from more than 80 countries and regions. A total of 876 deals have been signed at the expo, covering trade, production capacity, energy, technology, agriculture, and tourism worth 435.9 billion yuan ($66.83 billion).
