China Argentina Photo:VCG

Railway cooperation between China and Argentina has moved a step forward, with Chinese high-speed train maker CRRC announcing it has won a bid to export 50 diesel multiple units (DMUs) to the South American country.

The deal represents the largest DMU order in Argentina's history, and it was based on exports of 27 DMUs to the country in 2015, CRRC said on its WeChat account on Monday.

A total of 25 trains will be manufactured to use broad gauge, with 15 to use meter gauge and 10 others to use standard gauge, according to CRRC.

The deal pushes bilateral cooperation in the rail sector a step further and marks another milestone since June, when CRRC produced the first new-energy light-rail trains for Argentina and completed the first exports of such trains from China.

China and Argentina, joint partners in building the Belt and Road Initiative, signed a cooperation plan in 2023 to pursue the building of infrastructure projects aimed at increasing productive capacity, promoting Argentina's development and improving the well-being of their people. 

The plan covers 13 sectors including education, tourism, sports, science and technology and defense.

In 2020, the two countries reached agreements valued at more than $4 billion to help the South American country strengthen its rail infrastructure, which is key to Argentina's goal of achieving long-term economic growth and development.

Global Times