THE latest addition to the metro network in the Chinese city of Chengdu was inaugurated on June 8 with the launch of commercial services on the 8.7km western extension of Line 2 from Chandianzi Bus Station to Xipu.

ŠKODA Transportation has agreed a 10-year technology licensing contract with CSR Qingdao Sifang to produce up to 400 ForCity (15T) low-floor LRV cars for the Chinese market.

MTR Shenzhen, the operator of Shenzhen Metro Line 4, has awarded Nanjing SR Puzhen Rail Transport (NPRT) a Yuan 420m ($US 67.74m) contract to supply 56 metro cars which will be delivered in 2013-14.

Nanjing Metro Group has awarded Alstom and its Chinese joint venture Shanghai Alstom Transport Electrical Equipment (Satee) a contract worth around €28m to supply traction systems for the fleet of 174 vehicles it has ordered for metro Line 4.

THE first phase of Beijing Metro Line 14 opened on May 5 with the start of commercial services on the 12.4km section from an interchange with Line 10 at Xiju to Zhanggouzhuang in the southwestern district of Fengtai.

A CONSORTIUM of RATP Dev and Transdev has secured a three-year contract to operate the 60km light rail network in the Chinese city of Shenyang, which is due to open on July 1.

CSR Nanjing Puzhen has secured an order from the city of Nanjing for 15 low-floor LRVs, which are based on Bombardier's Flexity 2 technology and will serve two new light rail lines in the city, the 8km line in Hexi New City in southwest of the city, and the 9km line in Qilin Science and Technology Park in the east.

AN express metro is to be constructed from Beijing South station to the Chinese capital's new airport which will be built in the southern district of Daxing. The line is expected to be 37km long and with a journey time of around 30 minutes.

CHINA's former railway minister Mr Liu Zhijun, who was dismissed from the post in February 2011 for what was described at the time as "serious disciplinary violations," has been charged with bribery and abuse of power, according to a report from the Xinhua News Agency.

CRM-Vossloh Track Maintenance, a joint venture between Vossloh Rail Services and CRM, China, has secured a contract with the operator of the Beijing - Shanghai high-speed line to provide its High Speed Grinding (HSG) service.