Singapore-based Chinese language newspaper Lianhe Zaobao reported on July 5 that the 35

China-made C151A trains purchased by SMRT Corporation were sent back to the manufacturer in Qingdao for exchange as cracks were found on the bodies and key structural parts.

The exchange is estimated to be completed by 2019. The research team at ANBOUND Consulting suggests that although the Singaporean authority said the safety of the trains are unaffected; this matter should be treated seriously.

Currently, China aims to promote its high-speed trains globally, and is actively exploring its urban light rail transit market in developed countries in Europe and in the United States.

However, China is facing stiff competition from other countries, and if the defects are not investigated thoroughly and no transparent, clear explanations are given, there will be high possibility that the rivals from other countries would launch another wave of attack in the public opinion arena, and this would bring negative effects on the current export projects on high-speed trains and urban light rail transit, as well as on the projects still under negotiation, which will in turn deepen the doubts of the international society on the safety of China's high-end products.