Title: The History of China's High-speed Trains

Abstract: 

Based on a decade-long research, Professor Huaichuan Rui will analyse the historical evolution of the Chinese high-speed train (HST) industry in the broad context of the global railway industry and political economy. She will present research findings related to the following questions: Why did foreign built railways dominate China after the 1870s? Why did China initiate high-speed rail development in 1990 and why was the initiative delayed for 18 years by Maglev proponents and others? How did China achieve successful technology transfer in manufacturing HSTs from multinational firms between 2004-2008? How did China develop HSTs with standards and IPRs between 2008-2015? and, to what extent have the Chinese HSTs succeeded in international markets?

Lecturer: Huaichuan Rui

Date/Time: 16:00 – 17:30pm, 8th July, 2021

Online Platform: 

Microsoft Teams Meeting Link: https://teams.live.com/meet/95378062167594

Brief introduction of the lecturer: 

Professor Huaichuan Rui is Professor of International Business at the School of Business and Management, Royal Holloway, University of London. She received her PhD from the Judge Business School, University of Cambridge in 2003. She has been leading a pioneering project entitled 'Chinese outward investment and multinational enterprises (MNEs)' since 2005, conducting over 800 interviews around the world and gauging local views and reactions on Chinese MNEs. She has recently worked on an ERC (European Research Council) funded project entitled 'Trust, Global Traders, and Commodities in a Chinese International City', exploring the role played by the city of Yiwu in the global trade in low-grade Chinese commodities. Professor Rui has been invited by various institutions including the United Nations and OECD to speak about China's investment, trade, multinationals and development experience.