KUNMING, Dec. 20 (Xinhua) -- Chinese and Lao companies participating in a transnational railway project on Wednesday said they will abide by rules and a code of conduct to ensure the project will not be tainted by corruption.
A pledge was signed by the companies, and employees attending Wednesday's ceremony took a collective vow against corruption.
The companies said they will draft specific measures to stamp out malpractice at every phase of the project, from procurement and construction to operation management. They will enhance the exchange of information and severely punish those found to take or offer bribes.
Work on the China-Laos railway, with a cost of 37.43 billion yuan (around 5.7 billion U.S. dollars), began in December last year. The 414-km line is designed for trains running up to 160 km/h.
The project is led by China Railway Group and uses Chinese equipment as well as Chinese standards. The railway is expected to open in 2021.