BY HO WAH FOON

KUALA LUMPUR: The rail system developed by China is internationally recognised as the safest in the world, said general manager of China Railway Sheng Guangzu.

“Our rail system is safe and reliable ... according to the UIC (International Union of Railways) based in France, China’s accident per one billion kilometre is the lowest in the world,” he said after meeting with local Chinese community leaders here.

The UIC is an international rail transport body that sets new world standards for railways, its safety and security.

Sheng is leading a delegation of China’s rail leaders and experts to visit leaders of Malaysia and Singapore to promote China rail system ahead of the launch of the open tender for the Kuala Lumpur-Singapore High Speed Rail.

Malaysia and Singapore will sign an MoU on the project next month.

Sheng will be meeting Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak today before heading off to Singapore.

He had held meetings with various Malaysian Cabinet ministers and officials linked to the HSR project yesterday.

This is the first time a high-ranking official of China Railway, which is the central regulator of China railways, openly replied to concerns over the safety issue of China high-speed rail.

Crowded by waiting reporters, Sheng said in Mandarin: “I will update your Prime Minister on the most recent developments in China’s railway system.

“We hope via our technology, experience and superiority in cost advantage, we can win in our bid for the HSR project.”

Sharing some details on China’s rail safety control, he said there would be a test run every day before the daily services were launched.

There would also be a complete check of the system every 10 days, he said.