Background
In China’s rail sector, foreign-invested enterprises have long faced unequal treatment, especially in urban rail transit projects. A major barrier was the 2014 Tender Evaluation Method for Urban Rail Transit Vehicles, which embedded discriminatory scoring criteria against wholly foreign-owned enterprises and foreign-controlled joint ventures.
Because many local projects adopted this method, the scoring system could effectively exclude foreign component suppliers from the bidding process.
Result
Since 2020, the European Chamber’s Rail Working Group has consistently advocated for a fairer evaluation system through Position Papers, advocacy letters, and direct engagement with Chinese and European authorities.
In December 2024, a revised Tender Evaluation Method was released, removing the discriminatory scoring elements.
Impact
- Improved market access for foreign-invested enterprises in China’s rail sector;
- Encouraged fairer competition and supplier diversity in urban rail bidding;
- Supported a more open and transparent procurement environment.
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