On December 19, the China-Thailand railway cooperation project was launched in Ayutthaya, Thailand. The two sides will cooperate to build Thailand's first standard-gauge double-track railway. After nearly a decade of negotiations, the China-Thailand railway project will officially break ground. Chinese State Councilor Wang Yong and Thai Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan attended the launch ceremony. Mr. Liu Jiansen, Assistant President of XCMG Machinery and General Manager of XCMG Import and Export Company, attended the groundbreaking ceremony on behalf of XCMG Group at the invitation. Li Keqiang and Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha exchanged congratulatory letters on the 19th
In his letter, Li Keqiang said that China-Thailand railway cooperation meets the development needs and common interests of both countries and is of great significance for promoting regional connectivity. Through the joint efforts of both sides over the past year, important progress has been made in cooperation. He hoped that both sides would make persistent efforts to ensure the smooth implementation of the railway cooperation project, lay a solid foundation for the early completion of the "artery" connecting China, Laos, and Thailand, and promote common development and people's well-being in the region.
In his letter, Prayut Chan-o-cha said that Thailand and China have close relations and cultural affinity. The railway cooperation project is another successful example of practical cooperation between the two countries, will lay an important foundation for closer cooperation in the future, help improve people's well-being and national competitiveness, and promote regional economic development and prosperity.
What is the China-Thailand railway?
This railway, which uses entirely Chinese technology, standards, and equipment, has a total length of 845 kilometers, a design speed of 180 kilometers per hour, and reserved conditions for speeding up to 250 kilometers per hour. The railway line is divided into four sections and passes through 10 provinces in Thailand. The first phase of the project is planned to start construction in early 2016 and is expected to be completed and opened to traffic in 2019. The remaining second phase will start in early 2017 and is expected to be completed and opened to traffic by 2020.
What is the significance of the completed China-Thailand railway?
The China-Thailand railway not only greatly saves time but also reduces transportation costs by about 12%. It will help Thailand better leverage its geographical advantage as a land transport hub, drive comprehensive economic development, create employment opportunities for local people, increase per capita income, boost tourism development, and contribute to connectivity in Southeast Asia.
The China-Thailand railway project will connect with the previously started China-Laos railway, realize railway connectivity between China and Thailand, promote the completion of the central corridor of the Trans-Asian Railway, build a safe and smooth railway transportation network between China and ASEAN, and give play to the service and guarantee role of railways in advancing the "Belt and Road" initiative.
In the industry's view, the China-Thailand railway is undoubtedly a "stepping stone" for infrastructure cooperation between China and Southeast Asian countries. With the official "opening" of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, China and Southeast Asian countries will engage in broader cooperation in infrastructure construction such as railways, highways, ports, wharves, dams, airports, bridges, and industrial parks.
Mr. Liu Jiansen said in an interview with CCTV and Xinhua News Agency at the opening ceremony: "As China's largest and the world's fifth-largest construction machinery manufacturer and equipment solution provider, XCMG has the world's most complete product line and a full set of railway and bridge construction machinery. XCMG will spare no effort to provide the highest quality complete sets of equipment for the construction of the China-Thailand railway and help make the railway construction a complete success!"