New Taipei’s MRT Circular Line is under scrutiny due to the use of Chinese-made train doors in its new sections.Construction crews are still building the northern and southern parts of this metro line in phases and plan to finish by 2031. French company Alstom, which won the train systems contract, selected a Chinese supplier for the door systems.
Alstom partnered with Nanjing Kangni Mechanical & Electrical Co., a firm based in China. This company specializes in train doors and platform screen systems. However, it has no prior experience working in Taiwan’s rail industry.
The company has been linked to multiple safety concerns. In the U.S., the New York City Subway experienced incidents between 2019 and 2020 involving train doors opening mid-transit. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority had to remove 298 Bombardier cars from service for safety checks.
Moreover, in 2023, Line 5 of the Dalian Metro in China faced a similar problem. A train door opened while moving, and the malfunction was linked to Kangni’s systems. Unverified reports in China suggest several other minor incidents involving their equipment.
Due to these previous failures, Chinese-made train doors now raise serious safety questions in Taiwan. Taipei City Councilor Vincent Chao urged the city to thoroughly review all contracts and components. He stressed the need for careful oversight of suppliers and subcontractors.
Chao also raised national security concerns. He noted that past issues in the U.S. led to warnings about Chinese state-owned enterprises in rail infrastructure. Nanjing Kangni’s shareholders include state-run Chinese companies, increasing these concerns.
Lawyer Ray Chin emphasized the government’s duty to regulate foreign subcontractors. While the main contract blocks Chinese-funded system integrators, it does not clearly restrict subcontractors from China.
Currently, Taipei’s Department of Rapid Transit Systems has not yet approved the manufacturing process. Officials say the system cannot move forward until they review the case in detail.
Ultimately, critics warn the city must act before issues arise. Many insist that Chinese-made train doors pose both safety and security risks. The pressure continues to mount as construction progresses toward the 2031 deadline.
