The Chinese Railway Ministry has big ideas, not only for its country, but for the world. It is currently in negotiation with several other countries discussing its ultimate plan to build a trans-continental high-speed rail line that could possibly reach as far as the United Kingdom. A smaller portion of this potential rail system will be constructed in Southeast Asia. Part of China’s 12th five-year plan is to build a high-speed rail connecting the countries involved in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The goal in building the rail line is to improve transportation, collaboration, and trade in the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area. This construction could help the smaller countries in a number of ways. Most importantly, employment rates and the economic status of the smaller countries would likely grow due to the introduction of the rail. The purpose of this paper is to explain China’s plans to build high-speed rail in Southeast Asia and how this will affect each of the countries involved.
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