ALSTOM Transport - Global Leader in High Speed Rail Technology Commended: China Is Carrying out the Largest High Speed development in History.China will build up to 9800 km network of dedicated passenger lines at over 200 km/h by 2010. This will incre

[Beijing]: During China Economy Summit 2006 of the 9th Beijing China International High-tech Expo on 24 May, expert from ALSTOM Transport, the global leader in high speed railway highly commended that China is creating a miracle of high speed in history. China will build up 9800 km network of dedicated passenger lines at over 200 km/h with 2 billion passengers carrying capabilities per year in 2010. The railway peak season of passenger transportation is expected to be tremendously eased. Up to year 2020, China high speed network, completed in only over 15 years is creating a unprecedented miracle in China's history.

Mr. Gilberto Riccobono, General Manager, China Mainland Department of  ALSTOM Transport, delivered a presentation named Mainline Rail Transport, Economic and Social Perspectives of Todays Chinese Plan at the China Economic Summit 2006 of the 9th Beijing China International High-tech Expo on 24 May 2006. According to Chinas mid-to-long term planning, Mr. Riccobono noticed that China is performing the largest railway development plan in history, building up to 9800 km network of dedicated passenger lines at over 200 km/h by 2010. Mobility of passengers is expected to be tremendously eased and Chinese network is expected to transport 2 billion passengers per year in 2010 in comparison with 1 billion at present. By 2020, the Chinese high speed network, will be completed in only 15 years, creating an unprecedented miracle in history.

High-speed trains bring a large series of benefits compared to other transportation systems such as airplane, private car, coach and classic train, and proved to promote economic and social development, regional development, decentralization of national businesses, revitalization of regional city centers, boosting of tourism and etc. Moreover, High-speed trains are the most environmental-friendly transportation system, as it is the least energy-consuming, reducing greenhouse gases and lessening land usage. Most importantly, high-speed trains are the safest traveling system in the world and ALSTOMs TGV report zero mortality since its commercial services nearly 30 years ago, which is incomparable to other transportation system.

In the presentation, Mr. Riccobono also reminded that ALSTOM is one of the largest and most known rail transportation equipment and service companies worldwide, specifically in field of very high speed and high speed rolling stock and infrastructure, titling train and train traction technology. Two thirds of high-speed trains in the world were made by ALSTOM. ALSTOM holds the world rail speed record of 515.5km/h since 1990. Moreover, ALSTOM Transport is a global leader also in urban light-rail and tram systems, commuter and regional trains, and signalling systems. ALSTOM Transports business cooperation with Chinese railways dates back to the 1950s. ALSTOM Transport is fully committed to support the uncommon challenges of Chinas high-speed railway development by providing the best products and technologies and developing long term cooperation and technology transfers with its local partners.

ALSTOM Fiscal year 2005/06 annual report was released on 17 May that ALSTOM has met its target as of March 2006: an operating margin of 5.6%, a positive free cash flow of 525 million and a net profit of 178 million.  ALSTOM Transport raised its own margin to 6.3% compared to 4% in 2004/05. And ALSTOMs operating margin is estimated to reach 7% for fiscal year 2007/08, and 7% for the Transport Sector.

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in more than 60 countries, ALSTOM's Transport sector offers complete products and services for new rolling stock, signaling, and electrical and mechanical infrastructure as well as maintenance and rehabilitation services to four distinct types of customers: urban transit authorities and operators; intercity passenger rail operators and rolling stock owners; rail freight operators; and intercity railway infrastructure owners. ALSTOM's Transport sector, with sales of 13 billion euros in financial year 2005/06, is among the world's leading suppliers to the railway industry.

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ALSTOM Transport China
Jenny Zhang
TEL+8610 8460 9196
FAX+8610 8460 9010
email jenny-y.zhang@transport.alstom.com