China supporting consortium bid for Malaysia-Singapore railway: premier

BEIJING - The Chinese government will support a consortium bidding for a high speed railway line linking Malaysia and Singapore, said Premier Li Keqiang on Monday, as he met with the head of a Malaysian transport body.

"China is experienced in infrastructure construction, especially the high speed railway construction, which, through large-scale construction and operation, is advanced, safe, reliable, inclusive and of a competitive price," said Li in a meeting with Syed Hamid bin Syed Jaafar Albar, chairman of the Malaysian Land Public Transportation Commission.

He said he hoped the experienced consortium could put forward a competitive bidding plan for the project, which will trim travel times between the capitals of Malaysia and Singapore to within 90 minutes.

Hamid said Malaysia is "promoting a transformation program including public transportation" which he believes China can play an important role in.