Dec 4, 2015 (China Knowledge) – China has signed a framework document with the Thai government for cooperation in railway construction at the ninth meeting of Joint Committee on Railway Cooperation between the Thailand and China on Dec 3, sources reported.
According to the framework document, the two countries will cooperate on designing, purchasing and construction of the China-Thailand railway and build a joint-venture to take in charge of the investment and operation of the railway. China will support Thailand in technology licensing and transfer, personnel training and financing.
The Joint Committee said the framework serves as a foundation for the two countries’ railway cooperation, laying the ground for the two parties to further push forward cooperation in railway project. According to the he document, the ground-breaking ceremony will held in Dec and the construction will be kicked off in May, 2016.
The 867-kilometer medium-speed railway line, which uses 1.435-meter standard gauge with trains operating at top speeds of 160-180 kph, is expected to foster the economic development in Thailand, especially in its north-east part, said the Joint Committee.
Meanwhile, COFCO Corporation, a state-owned grains trader in China, has signed an agreement with the Commerce Ministry of Thailand to import 1 million tonnes of Thai rice in hopes of pushing forward the implementation of the “Chinese Rice for Train Plan” and the government’s “One Belt One Road” Initiative.
Photo Credit / China Daily
