China and Malaysia broke ground on a US$13 billion rail project yesterday that will link
peninsular Malaysia’s east and west, a major part of the Belt and Road
infrastructure push.
The 688-kilometer East Coast Rail Link will connect the South China Sea at the Thai border in the east with the strategic shipping routes of
the Straits of Malacca in the west.
It is among the most prominent projects in the Belt and Road initiative, which aims to build a modern-day “Silk Road” connecting the
world’s second-largest economy by land corridors to Southeast Asia,
Pakistan and Central Asia, and maritime routes opening up trade with the
Middle East and Europe.
“The ECRL is indeed yet another game changer and a mindset changer for Malaysia as it will significantly cut travel time to and from the
east coast of the peninsula,” Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak said
at the ceremony halfway along the route in Kuantan.
“The Chinese government has attached great importance to China-Malaysia relations and has always considered Malaysia a dear
neighbor and trustworthy partner who is committed to seeking mutually
beneficial cooperation and common development in the country,” Chinese
State Councilor Wang Yong said at the ceremony, heading up a 100-strong
delegation in Kuantan.
