Despite China’s weak investments in the Republic of North Macedonia (RNM), Beijing’s interests in the RNM have a strategic focus. China wants to participate in the modernization of the Northmacedonian railway system, and the Chinese state-owned company China Railway Stock Corporation, known as CRRC (the world’s largest rolling stock manufacturer in terms of revenue), has provided the Northmacedonian Railways with 6 electric locomotives after 2019. The DMU (diesel multiple units) in North Macedonia, together with the EMU (electric multiple units) was the company’s breakthrough in Europe.
Electric locomotives from CRRC are in operation in Serbia since 2018.
Meanwhile, the United States Department of Defense alleges CRRC is a supplier to the People’s Liberation Army and in 2022 added CRRC to a list of “Chinese military companies” operating in the U.S.
In February 2024, the European Union launched an investigation into CRRC for allegedly using state subsidies to undercut European suppliers. Chinese rail company CRRC withdraws bid from Bulgarian public tender amid EU inquiry.
