UK Prime Minister David Cameron and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang have agreed to allow both the countries’ rail industries to work together, in order to strengthen economic growth, jobs and skills.
A memorandum of understanding (MoU) to this effect has been signed by the UK Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin and the National Development and Reform Committee (NDRC) chairman Xu Shaoshi, on behalf of China.
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As part of a bilateral agreement signed at the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO), the MoU aims to create a closer partnership on rail design, engineering, supply, operation, maintenance and construction.
McLoughlin said: "I can see great mutual benefit to be gained from increased co-operation between the UK and China on rail. The railways are a massive success story in both countries and we can boast world-class expertise across the sector.
"The success stories of the future will be economies that invest in infrastructure and welcome overseas involvement and we want this partnership to be a win-win situation."
The MoU will cover all modes of rail and the scope of the partnership may include the development of new build and upgrading rail infrastructure projects, as well as the supply of products and services to third markets.
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By GlobalDataIt also includes the collaboration on research and development within the rail sector, as well as station design, equipment supply, rail transport safety and environmental protection in rail.
Image: UK Transport Secretary signs rail MoU with China. Photo: courtesy of UK Department of Transport.
