Vietnam's foreign minister asked China on Wednesday, November 4, to speed up three cross-border railway projects, according to Tuoi Tre's report of talks held in Beijing.
Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung met his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, on the sidelines of the Mekong-Lancang Foreign Ministers' Cooperation Meeting. Beyond the railways, Trung also asked for a "smart" border gate, wider imports of Vietnamese farm and seafood products, and balanced, sustainable trade.
The three lines are all planned as standard-gauge (1,435 mm) routes. They are Lao Cai–Hanoi–Hai Phong, about 391 km and electrified; Lang Son–Hanoi, about 147 km inside Vietnam; and Mong Cai–Ha Long–Hai Phong, about 175 km. The designs call for passenger trains at up to 160 km/h, with a possible upgrade to 200 km/h on the Mong Cai line.
Wang Yi said China agreed with Trung's proposals and is ready to strengthen cooperation, the report said. Both sides also agreed to manage the land border well and to handle maritime disputes peacefully under international law, including UNCLOS 1982.
The report did not give completion dates, costs or funding for the three projects. The three lines are all in northern Vietnam and do not run through Da Nang.
Sources
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