China, Laos vow rail without corruption

A Chinese company participating in the China-Laos transnational railway project has been making consistent efforts to ensure that the project will not be tainted by corruption, according to railway authorities.

"The China-Laos railway is a landmark project within the Belt and Road Initiative framework, and keeping the construction free from corruption is a shared responsibility of China and Laos that will surely benefit people from both countries," said Wang Tongjun, deputy general manager of China Railway Corp.

"As a capital-intensive industry, railway construction has always been a key area for corruption," he said, adding that the company has drafted specific regulations to stamp out malpractice at every stage of the project, from procurement to construction and operational management, and has implemented risk prevention and control mechanisms.

Wang said the company has also set up a special anti-corruption organization for inspection and evaluation in a bid to ensure that all operations and employees comport with the rules and code of conduct.

Along with the efforts the company has made, cooperation between the two countries also plays a positive role in making a clean railway project.

"Disciplinary officials and enterprises from both sides have taken the anti-corruption work as a common responsibility and a top priority," Wang said.

The two countries have been holding meetings every six months to enhance the exchange of information, prevent potential corruption and punish those who are found to have taken or offered bribes.

"The efforts to combat corruption are of vital importance to improving work, strengthening quality, ensuring safety and building a clean government," Wang said. "We have made some achievements so far."

To date, the China-Laos railway has closed 22 tenders worth 17.25 billion yuan ($2.58 billion), in which no malpractice such as bid rigging or information leakage was found. As for the procurement of equipment and materials worth 1.65 billion yuan, the company did not receive any reports about its quality and quantity.

Wang also said the project is an example of win-win cooperation that promotes mutual development of the two countries. It will also become a strong driver of economic development for Laos, as well as bringing more benefits to its people.

"So far, over 3.6 billion yuan has been spent to purchase materials such as sand, ballast and cement from local manufacturers, and the project has provided more than 32,000 jobs for its people," he said. "The construction team has also been helping villagers living along the railway to build roads, renovate houses and lay pipelines, which has greatly improved local infrastructure."

The China-Laos railway is the first overseas route connecting to China's railway system using Chinese technology, equipment and investment. Chinese investment makes up 70 percent of 37.43 billion yuan cost, while the rest comes from Laos. Work on the railway began in 2016.

The 414-kilometer line is designed for trains running at speeds up to 160 kilometers per hour. After the line starts operating in 2021, the journey from Mohan, Yunnan province, to Vientiane, Laos, will take just three hours. The same route by car takes about 16 hours.

wangkeju@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily 04/22/2019 page4)