China: Government shocked at revoked rail contract in Mexico

China’s National Development and Reform Commission has reportedly expressed surprised at Mexico’s decision to revoke a contract for a group of Chinese builders to construct a high-speed railway in the nation, claiming that Mexico’s decision “had nothing to do with the Chinese enterprise” but was instead due to “domestic factors.”

China’s state-run Xinhua news agency cited an unnamed NDRC official as saying that it was “surprising to hear Mexico decided to scram the rail deal as the Chinese enterprise has been strictly following the public bidding procedures and requirements, and the bidding content complies with the requirements of the Mexican government.”

The $3.75 billion rail contract was awarded to a Chinese company but later revoked by Mexico’s Communications and Transport Ministry; reports say Mexican opposition lawmakers accused the government of favoring the China Railway Construction Corp, which was the sole bidder for the project.

The Transport Ministry said it will re-run the tender offer later this month.

Full content: Reuters

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