HCMC — Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh today proposed China Power Construction Corporation (PowerChina) support Vietnam’s efforts to develop its railway industry and expand cooperation in strategic infrastructure and clean energy.
At a meeting in Hanoi on May 21 with Zhou Jiayi, president of PowerChina Asia-Pacific, Chinh said Vietnam is focusing on three strategic breakthroughs, including infrastructure development in transportation, energy, and digital connectivity. He urged PowerChina to strengthen cooperation with Vietnamese partners, especially in standard-gauge railways and metro projects.
Chinh highlighted the planned Haiphong–Hanoi–Lao Cai railway as a priority project aimed at enhancing regional connectivity with Kunming and Chongqing in China and extending to Europe.
He proposed PowerChina assist Vietnam in railway technology transfer, high-skilled workforce training, and operational management. He also called on the group to help Vietnamese companies join its global supply chains, particularly in renewable energy technologies such as wind turbines and solar panels.
Jiayi said PowerChina, which is present in over 130 foreign markets, posted revenue of over US$100 billion in 2024, ranking 108th among the world’s top 500 companies. The firm has completed more than 2,000 kilometers of railway across China, Laos, and Indonesia.
In Vietnam, PowerChina has been active since the early 2000s, participating in more than 100 energy and infrastructure projects. In 2024, it signed a memorandum of understanding with four Vietnamese companies — FECON, Lung Lo Corporation, Song Da Corporation, and Thang Long Corporation — to form the CVRail consortium to explore railway development. The Vietnamese partners recorded combined revenue of about VND22 trillion last year.
PowerChina expressed interest in taking part in the Lao Cai–Hanoi–Haiphong railway project and committed to meeting timelines, ensuring quality, and managing costs. It also pledged to share technical and management expertise with local firms.
As the world’s seventh-largest energy contractor, the group said it seeks to expand renewable energy investment in Vietnam and explore new infrastructure opportunities.
Chinh welcomed the company’s plans and reaffirmed Vietnam’s commitment to supporting reputable Chinese firms investing in railway infrastructure. He emphasized that Vietnam will protect the legitimate rights and interests of foreign investors and facilitate project implementation in line with national regulations.
