China's biggest train maker CSR signed a contract on Tuesday, 24.06.2014 with the national railway company of Macedonia to sell six bullet trains to the European country.

It is the first time China South Locomotive & Rolling Stock Corporation (CSR) has made sales in Europe.

The trains will be made in accordance with national standards of Macedonia and international standards, with a designed maximum speed of 140 km per hour and a life of 30 years, according to an engineer of CSR Zhuzhou Electric Locomotive Co., Ltd.

High-speed rail has become a talisman for modern China. A video of a Chinese bullet train was shown in Times Square, New York this year.

Premier Li Keqiang has promoted high-speed rail technology during his many overseas visits, including his recent visit to Britain.

Behind the "high-speed rail diplomacy" is China's attempt to shift from labor-intensive manufacturing to become an innovation hub for high technology.

Ambassador Wen Zhenshun met with Mr. Xu Zongxiang, Vice President of CSR on Tuesday. Wen congratulated Xu for the successful signing of the contract. Both sides also exchanged ideas of some new projects of CSR in Macedonia.