On south-western fringe, China's Silk Road ambitions hit a bump

Kunming Credit: © Manit Larpluechai

A couple of interesting articles today on Southern China. One looks at Kunming, arguably China’s gateway to South-east Asia, from where the Chinese want to extend a high-speed railway to Singapore. But the country faces some obstacles from its neighbours. Laos has yet to begin work, owing to challenges raising even part of the $7bn cost, as well as failing to agree terms with China. Myanmar has cancelled its part in the project, while Thailand wants to fund the line itself ...