China can become an associate member if five OTIF members agree, this is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

China applies for membership in OTIF
Photo: Shutterstock

China has applied for membership in the Intergovernmental Organisation for International Carriage by Rail (OTIF), an organization aimed at influencing international cooperation in cross-border railway activities.

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OTIF stated that they have been collaborating with China for several years prior to this moment, and also after the China National Railway Administration initiated contact in 2016.

The organization stated that the application will be accepted if five out of the 50 current full-fledged member states do not object. China can only become the second associate member alongside Jordan, which was granted access in 2010.

This body was established in 1985 based on the Convention concerning International Carriage by Rail. According to its text, OTIF enables the expansion of legal compatibility and improvement of technical compatibility, as well as contributes to the development of multimodal transport.

OTIF advocates for the interests of both passenger and freight operators.

Photo: Shutterstock

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