Is this part of the same construction shown in the previous entry? -- if so, it looks like it does go over water.
So what is the nature of Chinese participation? -- are they just contractors? -- meaning it's a job for which they are being paid? -- or is there a political component? -- i.e. this is, at least in part, an aid project of China?
Does Laos have natural resources of interest to China? -- like e.g. Africa -- I cannot see China being that interested in Laotian labor -- ?
The Chinese built railroad crosses the Mekong and penetrates many Lao mountains via tunnels, and the Laos are paying for this via Chinese loans. Almost all the workers are Chinese, so this also provides jobs for Chinese.
Geopolitically, these Chinese railroads connect all these countries to China, so Chinese goods can be delivered more efficiently, and resources and goods from these places can be brought back to China. It's about building a vast network, with China at the center.
As for Lao resources, there's gold, tin, timber, and Chinese geologists who are here to do work on the rail tunnels can report (to the Chinese government) on whatever mineral resources are to be found where, so that land can be bought, for later extraction.
The Lao railway stops at Vientiane, at the border with Thailand, and thought there's no deal with Thailand yet, it's certainly an objective, so that eventually, the Chinese hope, their rail system will reach Singapore. Myanmar is also targeted, so that Chinese rail can reach the Indian Ocean.
3 comments:
Generally: a viaduct goes over land, a bridge over water -- per the foto, this looks like a viaduct.
Is this part of the same construction shown in the previous entry? -- if so, it looks like it does go over water.
So what is the nature of Chinese participation? -- are they just contractors? -- meaning it's a job for which they are being paid? -- or is there a political component? -- i.e. this is, at least in part, an aid project of China?
Does Laos have natural resources of interest to China? -- like e.g. Africa -- I cannot see China being that interested in Laotian labor -- ?
Hi eahift,
The Chinese built railroad crosses the Mekong and penetrates many Lao mountains via tunnels, and the Laos are paying for this via Chinese loans. Almost all the workers are Chinese, so this also provides jobs for Chinese.
Geopolitically, these Chinese railroads connect all these countries to China, so Chinese goods can be delivered more efficiently, and resources and goods from these places can be brought back to China. It's about building a vast network, with China at the center.
As for Lao resources, there's gold, tin, timber, and Chinese geologists who are here to do work on the rail tunnels can report (to the Chinese government) on whatever mineral resources are to be found where, so that land can be bought, for later extraction.
The Lao railway stops at Vientiane, at the border with Thailand, and thought there's no deal with Thailand yet, it's certainly an objective, so that eventually, the Chinese hope, their rail system will reach Singapore. Myanmar is also targeted, so that Chinese rail can reach the Indian Ocean.
Linh
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