Analysis: Twists and Turns Abound for Chinese-Built Railways in Southeast Asia

While the economic benefits are clear, getting projects from the drawing board to reality isn’t straightforward

China is working with Thailand and Vietnam to build two major railways connecting the countries, as part of an ambitious megaproject to strengthen trade and economic ties across Asia.

On Wednesday, Vietnam’s parliament approved a railway project linking northern Vietnam and the Chinese border province of Yunnan, the Vietnam News Agency reported.

Work is set to start on the $8 billion railway at the end of this year, according to local media reports. The new deadline, which was requested by Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính, is significantly earlier than the originally planned 2027 target outlined in a report submitted to Vietnam’s Ministry of Transport.