The CRRC Corporation Ltd, the world's largest supplier of rail transport equipment, has a Chengdu-based subsidiary specializing in repairing rail trains. Chengdu aims to transform into a global base for transport technology, application and development. (Photo/Shanghai Daily)
This year, Chengdu has seen faster growth across the transport industry as it became an important part in the city's 13th Five-Year Plan (2016-20).
In January, Chengdu's Metro network was extended to 1,730 kilometers, making the city increasingly connected by subway and light rail. In February, several important agreements were signed to enhance cooperation between the government, companies and research institutes to better coordinate technological innovations in transport and commercialization. In March, during the annual session of the Chengdu People's Congress, some lawmakers also suggested building the city into a hub for China's high-speed trains.
It's little surprise then that officials in Chengdu have identified transportation as a key driver of growth over the years ahead. Indeed, authorities hope to see the capital city of Sichuan Province transform into a global base for transport technology, application and development.
In the end, planners envision the creation of a local transport industry worth hundreds of billions of yuan.
Chengdu has begun preparing for the future with efforts to develop a complete industry chain ranging from education, research and development, design and sourcing, manufacturing, construction and maintenance.
Several of the industry's biggest names already have a presence in the city.
The CRRC Corporation Ltd, the world's largest supplier of rail transit equipment, has a Chengdu-based subsidiary specializing in repairing rail trains. In 2011, this local unit also started to assemble Metro trains. It made the dream to have made-in-Chengdu Metro trains come true.
Realizing the increasing importance of Chengdu, CRRC Corporation has launched several core projects in the area. One of them is the construction of the CRRC Chengdu Rail Transport Industrial Park in Xindu District. With a combined investment of 5.07 billion yuan ($777 million), the park is due to be operational to manufacture carriages and cars in the near future. When the park's three phases are completed in 2017, the entire project is expected to generate 15 billion yuan in revenue and contribute 600 million yuan in taxes annually. Industry experts believe the park will boost the development of the advanced equipment industry in research and development, and manufacturing in southwest China.
The China Railway Investment Corporation, another Global 500 company and a leading enterprise in the industry, has also invested heavily in Chengdu. It has established a zone called CRIC High-Tech Park, which is home to more than 50 transportation-related companies. The park will serve as the innovation and service center of transport high technology. These are involved in areas such as research and development, equipment manufacturing to operation, maintenance and training.
Cutting-edge companies
Xinzhu Corporation, one of a few manufacturers of electric rail cars in China, has also chosen Chengdu as its home base. Partnered with global transport giants including CRRC, Alstom and Siemens, Xinzhu has been a pioneer in technological development. It also actively responded to government calls to "go global" and has invested more than US$5 million in the Republic of Belarus.
