Prof. Chen Taotao, Director of Tsinghua University Latin America Center, and Mr. Chen Zhe, Regional General Manager of China Railway Construction Corporation Limited (CRCC) in the Americas, met at the center's office in Chile on the afternoon of December 1, Santiago time.

    Mr. Chen outlined the specific details of CRCC's project undertakings in Chile, along with the difficulties and challenges faced. Prof. Chen had extensive conversations with Mr. Chen focusing on areas such as effective cooperation with local suppliers, the development and training of human resources, awareness and adaptation to local regulations, and the process of integrating into the local community to achieve shared growth.

    In December 2020, the consortium consisting of China Railway Construction Corporation International Investment Co., Ltd. and China Railway Construction Corporation (International) Limited was awarded the franchise project for the Talca-Chillán section of Chile's highway Route 5. This winning bid holds great significance as it marks the first overseas franchise highway project by CRCC. It also represents the first successful bid of a road PPP project by a Chinese-funded enterprise overseas, as well as the largest infrastructure project in scale.

    Besides the project of the Talca-Chillán section on Route 5 in Chile, CRCC is also involved in the construction of Section 1 on Santiago Metro Line 7. Apart from the construction of roads and subways, CRCC has also expanded its investments into the healthcare sector in Chile, such as the franchise project of Coquimbo Hospital in Chile – the largest single franchise healthcare project in Chile awarded to a Chinese company. Upon completion, the project will be the biggest and most advanced hospital in the Coquimbo Region.