China demands fair bidding environment on Mexican HSR link

BEIJING - China on Thursday responded to Mexico's relaunch of bidding for its first high-speed railway, calling for a fair, competitive system.

A Chinese-led consortium, including the China Railway Construction Corporation and several Mexican firms, had their original winning bid rejected in November, but will bid for the project again.

Foreign Ministry Spokesman Hong Lei told a daily press briefing in Beijing that China has always supported its enterprises with high capabilities and a good reputation when participating in infrastructure cooperation projects abroad.

"We hope Chinese enterprises will cooperate with Mexico this time on the basis of mutual benefit and win-win, and that the cooperation will promote the development and benefit both sides," Hong said.

"We also hope Mexico can provide a fair competitive environment for all who participate the bid," Hong added.

Mexico on Wednesday reopened bidding for its first high-speed railway, two months after the Chinese-led bid was abruptly canceled.

Mexico's Ministry of Communications and Transport on Nov. 6 announced to annul the 4.4-billion-U.S.-dollar deal due to public concerns about the bidding process.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang expressed his regret over the Mexican decision when he met with Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto on Nov. 11in Beijing.

He asked the Mexican government to "fairly" treat Chinese enterprises investing in the country and achieve early, substantive results from relevant cooperation.

Mexico said bidders need to submit tenders by July 14 and the winner will be announced on July 31.