CRRC Qingdao Sifang was forced to withdraw from the bidding for the Bulgarian train contract, and th

On March 26, the European Commission stated in a statement: The European Commission noted that CRRC Qingdao Sifang Locomotive Co., Ltd. withdrew from the public procurement tender organized by the Bulgarian Ministry of Transport and Communications. The withdrawal follows the European Commission's announcement of an in-depth investigation under the Foreign Subsidies Regulation. As a result of the withdrawal, the Commission will conclude its in-depth investigation.

This public procurement tender involves the purchase of 20 electric "push-pull" trains and their maintenance over a period of 15 years. The estimated value of the contract is around 1.2 billion leva (610 million euros).

CRRC Corporation Limited ("CRRC") is a state-owned rail transit vehicle manufacturer in China. It is the world's largest rolling stock manufacturer by revenue. Rolling stock manufacturers produce locomotives and carriages used by rail operators, as well as subways, trams, and other railway vehicles.

The EU-China Chamber of Commerce issued a statement saying that CRRC Qingdao Sifang's withdrawal "further proves that the EU's Foreign Subsidies Regulation is being used as a new tool to deter foreign companies, forcing them to withdraw and subsequently exclude them".

The European Commission launched an in-depth investigation last month when it announced that CRRC Qingdao's agreement with the Bulgarian government could violate the EU's Foreign Subsidies Regulation. The agency announced that the investigation is now closed.

In response to the EU's investigation of CRRC Qingdao, He Yadong, spokesman of the Ministry of Commerce of China, previously said on February 22 that China is seriously concerned about this and hopes that the EU will strictly abide by WTO rules, respect the principle of marketization, prudently use the tools of foreign subsidy regulations, carry out investigations openly and transparently, provide a fair, just and non-discriminatory business environment for Chinese enterprises, and jointly safeguard the overall situation of China-EU economic and trade cooperation.

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