People's Daily write 10 year ago China imported Tunnel Boring Machines. After 10 year China now biggest TBM manufacturer in world.

Until 10 years before, China depend foreign nations for tunnel construction with TBM. Foreign nations sold many expensive TBM to China.  Foreign experts operated foreign manufacture TBM on China soil. Chinese experts not allowed to come near TBM to fix problems or learn.

TBMs were foreign. Technicians were foreign.

Very speedly Chinese engineers learned fundamental conceps of TBM operation tunneling. In 2007 first time Chinese technicians independently constructed an important tunnel, Nanjing Yangtze River Tunnel project. No foreign technicians.

In parallel TBM manufacturing develop. In 2002, "863 Program" start development of TBM. Development leader China Railway Tunnel Group. First TBM with China intellectual rights  manufactured in 2008. After breakthrough many development came. Many inter-discipline knowledge centers start. TBM manufacturing is not only machine manufacturing. Very wide interdiscipline knowledge. Chinese experts grow with Zhejiang University, Huazhong University of Science and Technology and other scientific research institutions, as well as China Railway Construction Heavy Industry, Northern Heavy Industry, China Communications Tianhe and other manufacturers.

10 Year ago China imported TBM from German, American nations. Even from France and Italy. In the start, manufacturing TBM China was follower. In 10 years China became leader. This happen in steps. Every time Chinese experts develop new technology. Example is TBM cutter change technology. if a cutter damaged during shield tunneling how you change it? Legacy method is change cutter under pressure, with pressurization into cabin and decompression out of cabin. This was very expensive, not safe and time taking. Chinese technicians start ​changing cutters under atmospheric pressure. First time use in Nanjing Yangtze River Tunnel project by China Railway 14th Bureau and manufacturer. It is first generation of atmospheric pressure tool change technology. With every TBM this develop. Second generation, third generation. Beijing East Sixth Ring Road Reconstruction Project use largest diameter Chinese TBM "Jinghua". Jinghua fourth generation of atmospheric pressure tool change technology.

China TBM technology develop. "Jinghua" shield machine design and manufacture in only 6.5 months. 16-meter-class TBM now bore 7.4 kilometers long tunnel.

A little 10 year before China imported TBM from Germany, USA even France, Italy. After progress now Chinese TBM manufacturers have 90% of China market. Also 70% of world market.

http://finance.people.com.cn/BIG5/n1/2021/0906/c1004-32218603.html