This year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the People’s Republic of China and the European Union (EU), building on last year’s celebration of 60 years of Sino-French diplomacy. Yet one French multinational’s partnership with China stretches even further back, pre-dating even its home nation’s diplomatic ties: Alstom, a trailblazer in rail and transport innovation, began collaborating with China in 1958. Over nearly seven decades, Alstom has contributed to and thrived alongside China’s transformative industrial growth.
Founded in 1928, Alstom has cemented its global reputation as a leader in rail transport technology, from pioneering France’s iconic high-speed trains to delivering cutting-edge solutions in signaling, locomotives, and urban transit systems. Its partnership with China, however, stands as one of its most enduring success stories.
In 1958, Alstom made its first foray into the Chinese manufacturing market by supplying the first electric locomotives to the Baocheng Railway (the main railway connection between northwest and southwest China, running between Baoji, Shaanxi Province and Chengdu, Sichuan Province). This was a significant milestone for Alstom as it marked the beginning of a long and fruitful relationship with China. The Baocheng Railway was the first electrified railway in China, and through this, Alstom was able to demonstrate the strength of its technology in the Chinese market.
With the start of China’s reform and opening-up, Alstom established its first representative office in Beijing in 1979 based on its strong recognition of China’s market trends and opportunities. That decision enabled the company to be more closely involved in China’s rail transit industry development.
Fang Ling (third from right), president of Alstom Asia Pacific Region, takes part in a panel discussion at the 2023 Global Sustainable Transport Forum in Beijing in September 2023.
A Win-Win Relationship
In an interview with China Today, Ms. Fang Ling, president of Alstom Asia Pacific Region, reflected on the company’s 67-year development in China, chronicling its transformative journey from initial collaborations to becoming a cornerstone of sustainable innovation and infrastructure development in the region.
“Since supplying China with the first batch of electric locomotives in 1958, Alstom has been deeply involved in the development of China’s rail transit industry through technology and product introduction, the establishment of joint ventures (JVs), and localized production. The company has actively enhanced China’s rail equipment manufacturing capabilities, technological advancements, and industry upgrades in this field,” Fang said.
According to Fang, today Alstom’s JVs in China “have delivered more than 6,000 mainline railway passenger cars, 1,500 locomotives, 8,000 urban rail cars, and provided signaling and traction systems for more than 110 urban rail transit lines across the country.” Such innovations have helped improve the safe and speedy travel experience of over 30 million daily passengers.
For example, since 2018, Alstom’s JV, CRRC Puzhen Alstom Transportation Systems Co., Ltd. (PATS) successively provided several Automated People Mover (APM) systems, such as Phase 3 of Shanghai Metro Line 8 and Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport, as well as the straddle Monorail systems for Wuhu Rail Transit Lines 1 and 2. In addition to improving local residents’ travel experience, these projects have also contributed to the technological development and innovation of low- and medium-capacity rail transit in China.
China is one of the world’s largest rail transit markets, Fang stressed. Its high-speed rail operational mileage has expanded to over 48,000 kilometers in 2025, and urban rail transit networks have also surpassed 12,000 kilometers. Keeping up with this rapid pace of development and expansion, Alstom’s industry involvement has shifted from basic manufacturing to full lifecycle services, including the development of vehicle manufacturing, intelligent operations and maintenance, and green and smart integration. From a market perspective alone, rail transit has evolved from meeting basic transportation needs to supporting urbanization and high-quality development. These trends align with Alstom’s strategic focus on innovation and sustainability, presenting new opportunities for the company to have long-term growth and collaboration in China.
Alstom has also established strong ties with local firms while having founded 11 JVs in China. In 2024, Alstom invested in the establishment of Hefei Alstom Rail Transit Equipment Co., Ltd. (HATEE). This is the first localized industrial base for rail transit vehicle traction systems in Hefei. The company aims to gradually achieve the transition from “Hefei Metro, Hefei Made” to “From Hefei, Serving the World,” supporting the global rail transit industry.
The collaboration of Alstom with its Chinese partners is a win-win scenario for both sides. For example, local partners provide Alstom with a vast market, strong manufacturing capabilities, and innovative ideas, whereas Alstom brings world-leading rail transit technology and management expertise. This mutually beneficial and synergistic partnership has not only enhanced the global competitiveness of China’s rail transit industry but also strengthened Alstom’s leading position in both the Chinese and global markets.
Fang Ling visits the Shanghai Railway Intelligent Scheduling and Command System Engineering Research Center at Alstom’s first joint venture in China CASCO Signal Co., Ltd. on March 28, 2023.
Cross-Cultural Bridges Between China and France
Fang has personally been involved in the development of Alstom since 1995, initially working as a corporate internal auditor, followed by several different leadership positions over the following 30 years. Since 2018, Fang became president for the Asia-Pacific region, becoming the first female and Asian to hold this position in the history of the company.
“I have had the privilege of witnessing firsthand the significance and opportunities that France-China friendly diplomatic relations have bestowed upon businesses and individuals alike,” she said. “Leading operations across multiple countries and markets in the Asia-Pacific region, while coordinating closely with the global headquarters has given me a deep appreciation for the importance of cross-cultural communication. Alstom is a truly multicultural company. My journey here has not only deepened my understanding of French culture but also strengthened my belief in finding common ground and fostering collaboration in a diverse cultural environment.”
When asked about what she learned about French culture through her work in Alstom, Fang said that the cross-cultural experience there had greatly expanded her understanding of the differences and commonalities between China and France. “For example”, she said, “like China, France is a country that values etiquette. French culture places a great emphasis on the cultivation of manners and interpersonal relationships. The French, whether in the workplace or in other social occasions, inherently prioritize and practice politeness, respect, and elegance.”
Having a rich personal experience of appreciating and understanding both Chinese and French culture, Fang is committed to building strong bridges of cultural exchange between China and France within the organization. In practical terms, this involves helping teams located both in China and France deepen their understanding of each other’s culture. This ends up strengthening collaboration and efficiency.
For the Chinese side, Fang and her team organize various cross-cultural training and sharing sessions to help Chinese employees understand French and European working styles, and communication preferences. While for the French and non-Chinese employees, they actively try to help them understand Chinese culture and its working environment. They encourage employees exchange programs within Alstom, allowing short-term rotation assignments between Chinese and French teams.
Fang recalls working with a young French manager a few years ago who was assigned to work in China. After he arrived, his struggles with the differences of language and culture between China and France greatly hampered his communication with the local team. Fang began to help him learn about traditional Chinese culture, especially the importance of listening to local managers and cooperative partners that were older than him. As a result, he began to integrate better with the team and won their trust. Fang also has guided Chinese workers in working with French teams in France, encouraging them to share Chinese culture with their French colleagues. Through helping these workers better understand the respective cultures of China and France, not only has Alstom helped them grow in their communication and leadership skills, but contributed to fostering better communication between the people of China and France.
“Through these efforts, we strive to create a workplace environment that embraces diversity and respects cultural differences, where collaboration is strengthened through mutual understanding,” Fang said.
As China and the EU celebrate 50 years of diplomatic relations, Alstom’s 67-year partnership with China stands as a testament to what cooperation and exchanges can achieve in technological innovation, sustainable infrastructure development, and mutual understanding between China and EU countries.
