Hanke after approval of Chinese CRRC trains: "We must not make our mobility dependent on third countries" Minister for Mobility calls for binding social and security criteria at EU level to protect regional and European value creation

Following the recent approval of Chinese CRRC trains for Austria, Minister for Mobility Peter Hanke warns of the loss of domestic value creation and dependency on third countries. The Chinese double-decker trains, which are to be used on the Westbahn route Vienna – Salzburg, pose a serious threat to the domestic railway industry.

The trains had to be approved under European law after they met all technical requirements. Hanke is now bringing the issue to a European level, as it concerns the long-term sovereignty of Europe in mobility issues and the security of jobs.
"The approval by the European Railway Agency (ERA) occurred in accordance with applicable European guidelines. The relevant question now is: Do we want to comprehensively protect critical infrastructure in Austria and Europe, or do we allow third countries to jeopardise this vital asset? This aspect is not yet a relevant criterion for examination within the scope of railway approval. We must not make our mobility dependent on third countries," said Hanke.

Hanke refers to security concerns and digital independence

International warnings according to Hanke paint a clear picture: Recently in Oslo, safety concerns were raised that Chinese e-buses could be remotely controlled. 

"Trains are critical infrastructure. Whoever controls the software controls the operation of central European transport routes. With the first-time use of Chinese trainsets in Europe, we are entering new territory. In addition to the economic impacts, we need to consider whether we correctly assess all risks and whether our sovereignty remains intact. I will initiate this discussion on european level," asserts Hanke.

Over 30,000 jobs at risk

Austria's railway industry directly and indirectly employs more than 30,000 people.

"We are investing over 20 billion euros in domestic rail infrastructure by 2030. These investments must create value and jobs in the country," emphasises Hanke and continues: "If we allow cheap imports while Chinese state corporations distort the market with massive subsidies, we endanger our industrial location and make our critical infrastructure increasingly dependent on third countries."

Hanke initiates EU initiative 

"In times when third countries are entering domestic markets for the first time, it must be clarified that the same rules apply to all participants. The different conditions at the respective production sites must not lead to local market participants being disadvantaged. Therefore, politics must set economic and security policy parameters," says Minister for Mobility Hanke. Hanke therefore wants to enforce common standards for critical infrastructure at EU level: "Austria alone cannot regulate the market. European rules are needed that guarantee our independence and security. In addition to operational safety, every approval that has a significant impact on traffic flows in Europe must also ensure that our transport sovereignty as a national state and European Union is not lost." Later this year, Hanke will launch a corresponding initiative in Brussels. "The CRRC approval, as well as the reported incident in Norway, is a wake-up call," says the Minister. 

Five quality criteria for future procurements

Hanke mentions in this context stricter procurement criteria, which he will demand at EU level:

  1. Technological sovereignty: Full control over software and system control – "No remote control of our trains"
  2. Social standards: Only contracts in compliance with European labour and environmental standards
  3. Regional value creation: Binding quotas for local value creation in public investments
  4. Lifecycle transparency: Total cost accounting including maintenance and spare parts over the entire service life
  5. Safety audits: Regular checks for digital backdoors.