KUALA LUMPUR:  , China said it was willing to study a program to join Malaysia’s US$ 10- billion East Coast Rail Link (ECRL ) to another China- backed rail projects in Laos and Thailand, probably expanding Beijing’s Belt and Road initiative across Southeast Asia.
Foreign Premier Li Qiang, who is on a three- morning visit to Malaysia, said on Wednesday ( Jun 19 ) the plan may make the main line of a proposed Pan- Asia Railway, running from Kunming in China to Singapore, a reality.
” This will better encourage the construction of new international land and sea business corridors, increase regional communication, and strengthen the creating of the ASEAN community”, Li said.
Li was speaking at a groundbreaking ceremony held at a construction site for the 665-kilometer railroad that will connect Malaysia’s east and west coasts by the year 2026. The Malaysian authorities announced in March that it would think about expanding the China-backed venture to its border with Thailand.
In an ongoing conflict between China and the United States, Li is on the second leg of a vacation that has included New Zealand and Australia.