A train runs on the Ethiopia-Djibouti railway during an operational test near Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on Oct 3, 2016. (Photo/Xinhua)

China’s large equipment industry, such as railways and nuclear power plants, is now gaining an increased foothold in the global market.

Contracted by China Railway Group and China Railway Construction Corporation, the first electrified railway in Africa connecting Addis Ababa and Djibouti officially started commercial operations in 2018. China is also constructing the railway linking Yuxi, southwest China's Yunnan province with Vientiane, capital city of Laos.

China's ability to build nuclear power plants is acknowledged by both developing and developed countries. In 2016, China General Nuclear Power Engineering Company, China's largest nuclear power producer, and Electricite De France, a nuclear power giant in France, signed contracts to construct the Hinkley Point C and Sizewell C nuclear power stations in the UK.

The export of large equipment helps Chinese manufacturers develop overseas as well as bringing job opportunities in the importing countries and stimulating the local economy, said Zhang Jianping, a researcher at Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation.

China possesses some advantages in exporting large-scale equipment. As the world's largest manufacturer, China has gained much experience in constructing domestic infrastructure, such as bridges and roads.

Moreover, China provides high quality products with relatively low prices, which meets the expectations of developing countries in Asia and Africa. Chinese enterprises have also built many R&D centers and after-sales maintaining branches overseas, ensuring individualized services there.

Many machinery and power generation equipment manufacturers have established industrial parks to build complete industrial chains in the overseas countries, which sets good examples for other enterprises, said Zhang.

Zhang also mentioned that Chinese manufacturers should develop technologies, improve the quality of products and services, and build brands to become more competitive in the global market.