China has made significant steps towards realizing its vision of a trans-Asian railway network connecting Southeast Asia with significant progress on railway projects in Laos and Thailand. However, the conclusion of this dream stays uncertain as different countries within the region are currently at different stages of development and have different levels of commitment to the project.
According to the International Railway Organization, China’s rail system is one-tenth the length of the world’s total rail network, yet handles an astonishing 25 percent of the world’s rail traffic. These remarkable statistics are accompanied by China’s impressive high-speed rail infrastructure, which stretches for roughly 25,000 kilometers and accounts for 60 percent of the world’s total high-speed rail network. More than 5,000 high-speed trains run in China day-after-day, carrying a staggering 5 million passengers. Yang Zhongmin, president of China Railway International, proudly declares that China ranks first on the planet when it comes to high-speed rail transport.
China’s progress in railway technology has not gone unnoticed internationally. State-owned China Railway has develop into a significant player in 50 railway projects in 40 countries, with a give attention to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) region. China’s railway technology is now internationally competitive, and the country goals to finish the Trans-Asian Railway, connecting high-speed networks in lots of countries.
China has already made significant progress in several ASEAN countries. In Indonesia, the development of the primary high-speed train with a speed of 350 km/h for ASEAN countries has began, the unique route of which connects Jakarta and Bandung over a distance of 142 kilometers. Construction on this project is predicted to start early this yr. Similarly, in Laos, a 440 km standard gauge railway project was launched in late 2016 and is scheduled for completion in 2021.
Thailand has taken significant steps in implementing the high-speed rail project after five years of negotiations. Last December, Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha presided over the groundbreaking ceremony for the primary phase of the Thailand-China high-speed rail project, which can connect Bangkok and Nakhon Ratchasima. The second phase will cover Nong Khai and eventually connect with the Laos network by 2022.
Although the precise route connecting Singapore to Kunming has not been determined by ASEAN, China has expressed interest in developing three essential routes: an eastern route through Vietnam, a central route through Laos, and a western route passing through Myanmar before connecting to Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore. China has already made progress on its territory, constructing an ordinary gauge railway line to the China-Vietnam border on the eastern route. For the center route, construction of a railway line from Kunming to Mohan, on the border with Laos, has began and is predicted to open in 2020. Construction of the western route, from Kunming to Ruili, began several years ago and is predicted to open in 2020. 2025.
Yang Zhongmin admits that while China’s section of the Trans-Asian Railway may very well be accomplished inside five to 6 years, the general timeline is determined by the socio-economic development of the opposite countries involved and their ability to secure funding for the project. Progress is ongoing on the center route, with construction of the Lao section and the Thai section.
Additionally, there are plans for a high-speed rail link between Kuala Lumpur and Singapore, in Malaysia and Singapore respectively. However, challenges remain, particularly in Cambodia, where a 200-kilometer section of the eastern route has not yet been accomplished. Burma can also be planning a piece of the western route on its territory and is considering establishing a reference to Bangkok in the long run.
One hurdle to beat in making a Trans-Asian Railway is the difficulty of various gauges in some countries, equivalent to Thailand and Cambodia. These differences can result in inconvenience and lead to persistently high operating costs. Yang Zhongmin emphasizes that although the technical standards in Laos and Thailand are the identical, their construction phases are different.
China’s rail system carries a disproportionate share of world rail traffic through its extensive high-speed rail network. China’s influence on railway technology extends beyond its borders and is involved in quite a few railway projects world wide. The Trans-Asian Railway project is a significant focus and progress has been made in ASEAN countries, although there have been some challenges along the best way. The ultimate goal is to create efficient rail connections across Asia, promoting regional integration and economic development.
source: Nation
