China's top two train makers, China CNR and CSR, on Thursday dismissed reports the government was looking to merge the firms to create a giant that can compete better with foreign rivals. Chinese newspaper Caixin reported on Tuesday that China's supervisory body for state-owned companies was looking at a merger to boost the country's efforts to export its high-speed rail technology. In a statement posted on both the Hong Kong and Shanghai stock exchange websites, state-owned China CNR Corp Ltd said neither the company nor its controlling shareholder had submitted any proposals for a merger. The statement also said that neither had received any notice from the government in relation to a merger. Rival train maker CSR Corporation Ltd issued identical clarifications on the Hong Kong and Shanghai stock exchanges. (Reuters)