Mexico revokes China high-speed rail contract in face of opposition

BEIJING - Mexico’s Communications and Transport Ministry has revoked a US$3.75 billion high-speed rail contract with a Chinese-led consortium amid accusations that the Mexican Government favoured a group led by China Railway Construction Corp, the sole bidder.

The German conglomerate Siemens, Canada’s Bombardier and France’s Alstom PA had all asked for more time to prepare a solid bid, but the Mexican Transport and Communications Ministry denied these requests.

When the contract win was announced, Mexican opposition politicians pointed fingers at the Ministry, accusing it of favouritism. Now, with the contract revoked, the Ministry says it “expects to rerun the tender for the project under the same terms, and will keep it open for six months to enable all interested parties to take part”.  www.webershandwick.cn (ATI).