China is making headlines once again with the announcement of the construction of two new canals, with plans for a third in Thailand. These massive infrastructure projects are set to further integrate the economies of the Indochinese Peninsula and Guangxi province in China.
The first canal, the Pinglu Canal in Guangxi, will span a total length of 134.2 kilometers and is expected to begin construction in August 2022, with a projected completion time of 52 months. Following that, the Techo Funan Canal in Cambodia will stretch 180 kilometers and is slated to start construction in August 2024, with a completion timeline of 3 years.
One of the most exciting prospects is the potential construction of the Kra Canal in Thailand. Previously seen as an unrealistic endeavor, the success of the two aforementioned projects has sparked new interest in the Kra Canal, which boasts a length of only 102 kilometers. With Thailand’s new Prime Minister in office, and a strong relationship with China under the leadership of Thaksin, it is likely that the Kra Canal plan will move forward smoothly.
The construction of these canals signifies a major step towards economic integration in the region. As these massive projects come to fruition, we can expect to see increased connectivity and a boost in trade and development in the area.
For more information on these projects, you can visit BeijingDai’s post here.
