The Chinese government and people have a proven track of turning bold dreams into reality, which fits with Alstom's ambitious plans for the future.

As a leader in power generation and rail infrastructure, Alstom has set benchmarks in innovative and environmentally friendly technologies internationally. Alstom builds the world's fastest train and the highest capacity automated metro transportation system, and provides turnkey integrated power plant solutions and associated services for a wide variety of energy sources including hydro, gas, coal, nuclear and wind.

Alstom's mission globally is "shaping the future". Alstom draws on its global leadership to bring technology to China, as a long-term and dedicated partner of China from the 1950s.

Claude Burckbuchler, Alstom China president, said, "Over the past 50 years, we have worked alongside our Chinese partners to increase energy efficiency by transferring technology and spurring innovation."

Looking into the future, he added, "Our involvement in China will continue to be an integral part of Alstom's worldwide development. Our goal is to expand our presence here through our existing industrial bases, and with enhanced partnerships to provide better solutions not only to China but also to our customers worldwide."

Besides clean technologies, Alstom has set up Alstom Foundation to promote and support environmental protection projects.

Financed by the Foundation, Alstom China is working together with the National Conservancy on a National Park project, which is based on a new conservancy and development model to benefit biodiversity and communities in Yunnan province.

And Alstom Foundation gives support to Tianjin Alstom Hydro's initiative in partnership with Global Village of Beijing, to promote durable green bags, aiming to give 9,000 Alstom employees in China, and people in the community reusable shopping bags.

Clean power development

In China, Alstom's technological expertise has been applied in many important projects, including the Three Gorges, Daya Bay, Lingao, Hongyanhe and Taishan nuclear power plants.

In air quality control systems against traditional air pollution, Alstom's seawater flue gas desulphurization (FGD) design has been applied in power plants in Shenzhen, Qingdao, Huangdao and Rizhao. Alstom is developing carbon capture and storage technology for commercialization by 2015.

Two recent achievements have demonstrated Alstom's strong position on China's clean power market. One is that Alstom has won contract from China Guangdong Nuclear Power Co, for providing engineering and procurement of the complete turbine island for Taishan 1&2, China's first EPR (European Pressurized Reactor) nuclear power plant.

The other is Tianjin Alstom Hydro signed a contract with China Three Georges Project Corp to provide four 800 mW hydro generator units for Xiangjiaba Hydropower Plant.

Working together with local partners, Alstom now has 25 percent of China's hydropower market and 50 percent of the market for conventional islands of nuclear power plants.

Rail transport modernization

During the Games, the Beijing Airport Link ensured that millions of spectators and athletes arriving in the city were taken swiftly and safely to their destinations. Alstom contributed to the success of the Games by providing the train's signaling systems.

Alstom was awarded two contracts by China's Ministry of Railway to supply 500 of the world's most powerful electric freight locomotives, and for the electrification of the high-speed line from Shijiazhuang to Taiyuan.

To reduce the environmental impact of its products throughout their lifecycle, Alstom Transport uses eco-design principles in production processes. With composite materials, improved traction systems, articulated architecture, train weight and power consumption have been reduced up to 15 percent, while the noise has been reduced by 10-decibel.

Through establishment of joint ventures and strategic partnerships, Alstom has won multiple orders for the supply of metros and signaling systems in the subway networks of Hong Kong, Beijing, Shanghai and Nanjing.

Building on its worldwide strength in the two core businesses, Alstom is more determined than ever to cement its reputation as a key provider of infrastructure solutions that are crucial to China's economic development, social progress and environmental protection.

(China Daily October 24, 2008)