A preliminary analysis of the integration of Chinese and foreign technical standards in the context of the Malaysia East Coast Rail Link project

The pace of China’s railway “going global” is accelerating, highlighting the increasingly prominent issue of "technical standards barriers" that encompass technical regulations, standards, and certifications. This paper addresses the challenges in applying technical standards in both Chinese and foreign railway construction. Through a comparative analysis of the characteristics and components of these standards, the study aims to better guide the application of Chinese railway technical standards in overseas projects. The study finds that in civil engineering, Chinese standards are generally on par with or exceed European standards; however, specific construction practices require careful selection based on local conditions and the compatibility with other equipment in use. Issues related to limit state design and RAMS (Reliability, Availability, Maintainability, and Safety) are highly complex and require ongoing coordination. The findings of this research provide valuable insights into the application of Chinese technical standards in overseas railway projects.