Thailand to be hub of new economic trade belt for China

Global Business

China’s Silk Road program has the region abuzz with a lot of countries hoping to take part. Thailand is among them and it hopes to be the hub for Southeast Asia. Martin Lowe reports.

Thailand to be hub of new economic trade belt for China

China's Silk Road program has the region abuzz with a lot of countries hoping to take part. Thailand is among them and it hopes to be the hub for Southeast Asia. Martin Lowe reports.

Highlights:

  • More than 50 countries have expressed interest in joining China’s proposed economic belt, reviving the centuries-old Silk Road where early commerce between nations helped develop culture and civilization.
  • Thailand hopes to be the hub of the Silk Road in South East Asia by developing new land, sea and rail links between countries.
  • China and Thailand are cooperating on a 12 billion dollar plan to begin upgrading Thailand’s rail network from ageing diesel locomotives to electric high-speed trains.
  • Key elements in China’s Silk Road plans are roads and railways, enabling goods to be moved freely.