Written by by Orange Wang at scmp.com
Southeast Asia is playing an ever-growing part in China’s investment and diplomatic decisions, particularly as Beijing’s rivalry with Washington heats up. In the third of a four-part series on China’s ties with Asean, Orange Wang looks at how Beijing is using infrastructure to forge stronger links with the region.
When Vietnam’s new top leader To Lam visited Beijing in mid-August, infrastructure was very much top of mind.
During the trip, China agreed to support a feasibility study for two standard-gauge railway projects and help in the planning of another one in the Southeast Asian country, inching it forward in updating its colonial-era railways so they can link with Chinese train lines.