China invests in Cambodian and Trans-ASEAN Railway

China Railway, the state-owned railway enterprise of China, will expand Cambodia’s railway system as part of the Trans-ASEAN Railway, a railroad connecting China with its ASEAN neighbours.

Yang Zhongmin, the chairman of China Railway, said yesterday that feasibility studies on the section of the railway that runs through Cambodia have concluded.

“A subsidiary company of China Railway cooperated with Cambodia to finish the feasibility study for the 280 kilometres that pass through Cambodia,” he said.

Mr Yang said the company had also cooperated with the Cambodian government to revise the country’s national railway network plan, a project that has already been completed.

The Trans-ASEAN Railway is a priority for the Chinese government, Mr Yang said, as it will boost connectivity with neighbouring countries, especially with the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation countries, which are Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam.

“The Trans-ASEAN Railway plays a key role in plans for the development of the ASEAN region,” he said. “This railway starts in the south of China and ends in Singapore, linking countries in the ASEAN region.”

Cambodia has two rail lines. One connecting Phnom Penh to the coastal area, and a second one linking the capital to Banteay Meanchey province, on the border with Thailand, which is now under restoration.

Source: Khmer Times