Kyodo News reported that the exit of Japanese firms from the project could open the door for Chinese companies to solidify their presence in the region.
The first high-speed rail in Southeast Asia was
completed in 2023 in Indonesia and included the participation of Beijing’s China Railway International.
China also has another high-speed rail project
currently underway in Thailand.
Apart from partnering with a Chinese firm,
Kyodo News mentioned European firms as another potential bidder for the HSR project.