By Chino S. Leyco BEIJING – The Chinese construction company that will build the first intracity subway in the country assured that its has the technology to build and complete the Makati City’s mass transport system project to be completed within the next six-years. Zhu Xiaogang, China Civil Engineering Construction Corp. (CCECC), vice president, said the Chinese technology in subway construction is at par with other technologies like the Japanese, which is known for having high standard and quality in operations. "Chinese and Japanese technologies each have its own strengths,” Zhu told reporters. "But we have superior installation and systematic control and management ability that is ahead of the rest of the world.” “If it’s about the hardware, tunnel boring machine, or the construction of the subway, maybe Japan will have its advantage, while China will have its advantage as well, but the difference won’t be too big,” he added. Last Thursday, the Philippine Infradev Holdings, Inc. entered into an agreement with CCECC for the construction of the proposed $3.7-billion intracity subway in Makati City. CCECC is a wholly owned subsidiary of China Railway Construction Corp. Ltd. (CRCC), which is willing to invest around $300 million to $350 million to build the Makati City subway public-private partnership (PPP) project. “The key right in the construction of the subway is the software, and the technology of CCECC is more geared toward having an advantage on the software, which is the management and operations,” Zhu said. “Allot of subways in the world are losing money, but in Hong Kong, Singapore and China, they are all positive in terms of returns . Similarly, we can assure CCECC subway technology is one of the best in the world,” he added. Zhu added that CCECC has numerous subways and light railway projects in Africa and the Middle East, but the company is now gearing toward Asia for future growth. “We believe Asian countries are relatively more developed and ready for urban transit systems that we can develop. Makati is ready for it and Manila as well, Makati subway is just the start and we are very confident,” the CCECC official said. “Southeast Asia is an interesting place to invest in.” In October 2018, Makati’s PPP Selection Committee greenlighted IRC to proceed with the subway project after the company hurdled a 30-day competitive Swiss challenge. Once completed, the Makati subway system can accommodate up to six car trains, with a room for over 200 persons per car, and over 700,000 passengers per day. The dual track subway system would connect key points in Makati such as the current Central Business District along Ayala Ave. Makati City Hall, the Poblacion Heritage Site, the University of Makati, Ospital ng Makati and the other new business districts within the city. According to IRC, the construction of the subway would take four to five years to complete.