Chancellor George Osborne is inviting China to build the between London and Birmingham as he opens an 拢11.8 billion bidding process.
will be encouraged to work with British businesses to build the line, including the surface route and tunnels.
And Chinese businesses have also been invited to be part of the , opening in Birmingham in 2017.
Mr Osborne was due to make the announcement that at least seven new contracts will be opened up to companies, with a total combined value of nearly 拢12 billion, at an event in Chengdu, the provincial capital of Sichuan province in Southwest China.
He was also expected to announce a new 鈥淗S2 partnering day鈥 between British and Chinese firms to explore joining up on bids for contracts, as well as encouraging firms to bid for projects associated with the Government鈥檚 鈥淣orthern Powerhouse鈥 policy, which is designed to grow the economy in the north of England. It鈥檚 part of a wider five day tour of China by the Chancellor aimed at deepening cooperation between the two countries and making China the 海角视频鈥檚 second largest export market.
Construction of phase one of HS2 is due to start in 2017, and when opened will slash the travel time between London and Birmingham from 1 hour 21 minutes to 49 minutes.
A second phase will extend the line from Birmingham to Leeds and to Manchester.
Mr Osborne said: 鈥淭his government is committed to rebalancing our economy and building a Northern Powerhouse, and improving transport links and launching HS2 is key to supporting long-term economic growth across the North and Midlands.
鈥淭hat鈥檚 why I鈥檓 here in China today opening the bidding process for construction contracts worth 拢11.8 billion.
鈥淲e are truly entering a golden era of co-operation between our two countries, and it鈥檚 crucial that businesses and communities from across the 海角视频 feel the full benefit of forging closer economic links with China.鈥
Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin said: 鈥淗S2 provides an excellent opportunity for businesses across the 海角视频 with 25,000 jobs created during construction and 3,000 when up and running.
鈥淭he start of the procurement process for these significant contracts is a major step towards construction on HS2 getting underway in two years鈥 time and a massive opportunity to help rebalance our economy long before the trains start running in 2026.鈥
There will initially be seven contracts up for grabs, split over three sections of the phase one route from London to Birmingham. The government will encourage Chinese companies an opportunity to work with 海角视频 firms and form partnerships for joint bids.
The Chancellor is also inviting Chinese participation in the HS2 skills college, which will be based in Birmingham with a second site in Doncaster. A skills-swap programme would allow the 海角视频 to benefit from China鈥檚 expertise as a world leader on High Speed Rail, and help Chinese investors better understand the 海角视频 market, the Treasury says.
And Mr Osborne is encouraging Chinese companies to take part in an HS2 鈥榬egeneration tour鈥, which would involve visiting areas of huge commercial opportunity in London, the Midlands and the north.
Investors would have the chance to meet with relevant local authorities and visit station sites.
