High-speed rail on the right track, European leader says

The Republic of Macedonia is a small country, even by European standards, with a population less than a tenth that of Beijing's.

But it has big visions and its Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski has just given a huge vote of confidence to China's high-speed rail products, saying his country intends to place more orders for them.

Gruevski joined Premier Li Keqiang and 15 other European leaders on Wednesday for a 110-kilometer high-speed rail trip from Suzhou, Jiangsu province, to Shanghai.

The leaders had attended the Fourth Summit of China and Central and Eastern European Countries in Suzhou.

Describing the journey, Gruevski said it had been a nice experience, but it was not the first time he had taken this form of transportation.

"Once again, I had a fast and comfortable journey," he said.

Gruevski referred to the fact that he had experienced Chinese high-speed rail travel at home.

On Nov 15, he traveled from the capital Skopje to Veles, about 50 kilometers away, on the first Chinese-manufactured high-speed rail train running in Europe.

"It's very fast, but you have the feeling that it is not moving so quickly," he said.

Asked for his impressions about his journey in Macedonia, he said he felt "very positive" about the train and plans to buy more from China.

Gruevski said his country, in cooperation with China, has upgraded 60 percent of its passenger trains and the remaining 40 percent will be supplied "probably in the second part of next year".

He said of the train he experienced in his own country: "It was very nicely produced and had a very good design. I congratulate the manufacturer."

Regarding the summit, Gruevski said, "I think it's wise for China to have such cooperation with Central and Eastern European countries. It's a good chance to deepen our cooperation - a good chance for China and a good chance for us."

Gruevski said he had spoken with his foreign minister recently on making it easier for Chinese tourists to visit Macedonia. His government is also encouraging tour agencies to attract more foreigners by giving them 65 euros ($69) for each visitor they bring in.

"Not only do we want to make it easier to travel to our country, we are also making it cheaper for tourists to visit Macedonia," he said.

chenmengwei@chinadaily.com.cn