Bangkok: A new US$6bil (RM25.44bil) Chinese-built railway line opens in Laos this week, bringing hopes of an economic boost to the reclusive nation, but experts are questioning the benefits of a project that has seen thousands of farmers evicted from their land.
The 414km route, due to open on Dec 3, took five years to construct under China’s trillion-dollar Belt and Road Initiative, which funds infrastructure projects aimed at increasing Beijing’s clout globally.
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