Chinese rail firms are on course to win the contract to operate HS2 trains because domestic bidders¹ are overwhelmed with problems, it was reported last night.

昨晚有报道称，因为英国国内竞购者存在很多问题，中国的铁路公司有望赢得英国高铁2号（HS2）的运营合同。

MTR, which runs the rail network in Hong Kong, and Guangshen Railway Co, part of the Chinese state rail company, are the frontrunners to operate the 220mph trains, sources told the Times.

消息人士告诉《泰晤士报》，运营香港铁路网的港铁和中国国有铁路公司所属的广深铁路公司，都是时速220英里的列车领跑者。

The shortlist of three also includes two British-led entries - one led by First Group and another from a consortium involving Virgin².

入围的三个公司有两个由英国人主导，其中一个来自First Group公司，另一组来自维珍集团。

But the British firms are beset³ with crises and are reluctant to burden themselves with the financial risk that would come with winning the tender, the newspaper added.

但该报补充道，英国公司正饱受危机困扰，不愿承担投标成功所带来的财务风险。

First Group's chief executive resigned last month amid reported losses of ￡326million, and Virgin Trains was forced to hand back control of the east coast mainline last Sunday after overbidding for the franchise⁴.

First Group公司董事长于上月辞职，据报道称公司亏损3.26亿欧元，而维珍铁路在上周日的竞标中被迫放弃了对东海岸干线的控制权。

The news is likely to cause concern over the security implications of involving the Chinese in such a project.

这一消息可能会引起人们对中国参与这一项目所涉及的安全问题的担忧。

Government support for the Hinkley Point nuclear power plant was delayed by Theresa May due to apprehension⁵ about China's role in Britain's nuclear industry.

特里萨·梅推迟了英国政府对欣克利角核电站的支持，原因是对中国在英国核工业中扮演的角色感到担忧。

And MPs have also expressed concern after Chinese investors⁶ acquired London-based data storage firm Global Switch.

在中国投资者收购了总部位于伦敦的数据存储公司Global Switch之后，国会议员也表达了担忧。