Enhancing Railway Competition in China: Structural and Regulatory Options

China's government seeks to enhance competition in the rail sector. Initial steps have included forms of open access similar to the EU rail reform programme. While this approach may suffice in some areas, experience else where with intramodal and intermodal competition suggests that there is no single or sim–ple correct approach – that other options, including parallel line competition, 'source competition', and competition based on forms of track age rights, haulage rights, or 'wholesaler/retailer' arrangements, may be superior in some contexts. This paper explores alternative approaches and out lines the issues they pose, while also highlighting the need for effective regulation.