China and Vietnam Advance Cross-Border Railway Projects with New Feasibility Studies:

While on a state visit to Hanoi, Chinese President Xi Jinping had a meeting with Vietnamese President Phuc Vo to discuss issues related to both countries. Vietnam and China agreed to move forward with plans for new railway connections by launching feasibility studies for two critical lines. These rail projects are part of a lengthy agenda to modernize the two nations' colonial-era infrastructure and boost the supply chain connectivity of both countries.

China will sponsor the feasibility studies which include: A workshop on railroad architecture in Guangzhou proposes designing a railway from Guangxi, China to Hanoi, Vietnam along with a new expressway linking the port towns of Shenzhen and Haiphong.

Strategic Supply Chain and Infrastructure Priorities

Many Chinese goods are put together in Northern Vietnam's factories that are shipped off to various countries around the world. China is scrambling to devise new solutions after the US started to heavily tax goods coming from China, leading Xi to urge his counterpart in Vietnam to strengthen the supply chain cohesion.

Vietnam's Minister of Defense as well President, To Lam pointed out that these railway links have been and will continue to be the utmost attention towards bilateral cooperation when it comes to infrastructural advancements. He then went on to say that China should be aiding in these works by developing lower interest loans.

Challenges from the Past and Shifts in Current Priorities

Mistrust from previous South East Asia conflicts like the 1979 border war, along with the South China Sea confrontations have always existed; however, current interest seems to revolve around economy. The Nanning-Hanoi rail connection is still operational, but its track broad gauge measuring 1.676 meters is still colonial French. Passive gauges still require manual infrastructure changes as retrograde traps passengers and goods at terminus borders.

Vietnam is due to Kunming’s Northern coastline region. Start this year Kunming is due to the Northern coastline region of Vietnam. Vietnam’s estimations put the figure at $8.3 billion for the portion with financing partially from Chinese debts. Didn’t announce any Chinese debts during Xi’s visit to Vietnam.

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