For all of its grand ambitions, China has had some problems implementing high-speed rail--severe safety issues, construction fraud, and lack of ridership are just some of the issue the country has had to deal with recently. But China will not turn back from its vision of high-speed rail. And the country cares so much that it wants it's neighbors to have fast trains, too. China is starting by extending tracks into northern Laos.
Laos is one of the poorest countries in Asia, and it currently only has two miles of rail lines. But the nation anticipates that a high-speed rail system built by the Chinese could increase tourism, gambling, and local construction jobs.
No word on when construction will begin on the Laos line, but this is just the beginning of China's plan for a trans-Asian railway system. Eventually, the country envisions a system that could zip riders from China to Vietnam, Cambodia, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore.
To read the full, original article click on this link: All Aboard: China's Next Export Is A Trans-Asian High-Speed Railway | Fast Company
Author:Ariel Schwartz
