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
