Our Indonesian High-speed Railway proposal better than Japan’s; claims China

Our Indonesian High-speed Railway proposal better than Japan’s; claims China

Jakarta: China’s proposal for Indonesia’s first stretch of high speed railway is more competitive than Japan’s plan, the spokesperson for China’s Ministry of Commerce said on Wednesday.

Spokesperson Shen Danyang said the Chinese solution was carefully designed and cost-efficient, and could be delivered in a shorter amount of time compared with the design put forward by Japan for the Jakarta-Bandung rail link.

“If China wins, China and Indonesia will establish a joint venture to operate the railway, sharing both interests and risks,” said the spokesperson.

Shen also added that Indonesia’s needs could be better met by China, as it promised to train railway staff and transfer railway technology.

Indonesia announced last month it would hold an open bid for the 120 km long route.

As special envoy of President Xi Jinping, Xu Shaoshi, head of the National Development and Reform Commission, handed over a feasibility study report to the Indonesian side on Aug. 10.

Xu told Indonesian president Joko Widodo that China was willing to “promote high speed railway development in Indonesia”.

“Xu’s visit to Indonesia shows that China supports the enterprises competing for the project,” said Shen.

The winner may be announced by the end of the month at the earliest.