China opens first road-rail transport link to Indian Ocean

China opens first road-rail transport link to Indian Ocean

Part of: GS Prelims and Mains GS-II- International Relations 

Context:  A new rail line providing China with access to the Indian Ocean via Myanmar was opened recently on the Chinese side of the border.

• The rail line will enable China to trans-ship cargo from Singapore Port via Myanmar.

• The rail line stretches from Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan Province, to Lincang, a prefecture-level city in China’s Yunnan Province opposite Chin Shwe Haw, a border trade town in Myanmar’s northeastern Shan State.

Importance of the route

• The route (Check out the given map) is the first to link western China with the Indian Ocean. 
• It will significantly reduce the time needed to import cargo to landlocked Yunnan Province. 
• The route is expected to become the lifeblood of international trade for China and Myanmar, while providing a source of income for Myanmar’s military regime. 

Economic cooperation zone in Chin Shwe Haw

• Meanwhile, measures are under way to establish a border economic cooperation zone in Chin Shwe Haw as part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). 
• The planned zone will become an intermediate economic hub for Yunnan Province’s imports and exports. 

Do you know? 

• This passage connects the logistics lines of Singapore, Myanmar and China, and is currently the most convenient land and sea channel linking the Indian Ocean with southwest China