中國鐵路項目將寮國同亞洲聯繫起來

These normally quiet previously untouched hills of northern Laos are now filled with the sights and sounds of heavy construction.

寮國南部未改造過的小山丘陵通常是安靜的，但現在充斥著的是重大工程的施工畫面和聲響。

Around the town of Luang Prabang, rapid progress is being made on a Chinese built high-speed train line.

在琅勃拉邦小鎮附近，中國修建的高鐵線路進展迅速。

It』ll cut through here and cross the Mekong River on its way from southern China to the Lao capital Vientiane.

這條從中國南部到寮國首都萬象的線路將會穿過這裡，跨過湄公河。

The communist government of Laos says it wants the landlocked country to become land linking.

寮國的共產政府表示想要讓這個內陸國變得四通八達。

Beijing sees this project as a key part of its belt and road infrastructure plan, linking China with the rest of Asia, Europe and beyond.

北京將此次項目視為一帶一路基礎設施計劃的關鍵部分，把中國與亞洲其它地區，歐洲以及其它區域聯繫在一起。

When this line is completed, it』ll run for more than 400 kilometers, more than 60% of which will consist of bridges and tunnels.

線路完成總長在400千米以上，其中超過60%部分是由橋樑和隧道組成。

That makes it a very expensive project - one that some say Laos can』t afford.

那使得這個項目造價極高，被人們稱作是寮國無法負擔的項目。

Experts worry it』ll add to the government』s already heavy debt loads.

專家擔心其會加重政府的債務負擔。

The cost of the project is six billion dollars, with most of the money coming from Chinese grants and loans.

項目大約花費60億美元，大部分的資金來自於中國補助和貸款。

This is significant.

這項工程意義重大。

Because considering Laos GDP is only 13, 14 billion, so close to 50% of GDP.

因為考慮到寮國的國內生產總值只有130,140億左右，這個項目的金額只接近國內生產總值的一半了。

And this project will be completed in five years time.

並且這個項目將會在5年里完工。

So that means in each year we can expect around 10% of public investment just for this project.

所以那就意味著每年的公共投資中，大約有10%用於此。

One of the stops will be just outside Luang Prabang, which is a UNESCO listed town for its unique Lao and French architecture.

其中的一個車站就在琅勃拉邦外。琅勃拉邦由於其獨特的寮國與法國融合式風格建築，是聯合國教科文組織的上榜小鎮。

There is concern the new project will attract too many tourists, putting a strain on the town』s facilities and infrastructure.

人們擔憂這個新項目會吸引太多的遊客，增加小鎮基礎設施的負擔。

But many people in small businesses here survive off the tourism industry.

但是這裡許多做小買賣的人以旅遊業為生的。

So the prospect of more visitors spending money is welcomed.

所以更多的遊客來這裡花錢是人們喜聞樂見的。

About three years ago, there were more tourists.

大約是三年前，有更多的遊客。

But now there aren』t as many.

但是現在就沒那麼多了。

So we are earning less money.

所以我們掙的錢就少了。

So we』re looking forward to the train happening.

所以我們期待高鐵的到來。

Some studies have found that China will receive most of the economic benefits from the large projects it』s involved in around the region.

有一些研究發現，中國將會在其參與的該大項目中取得最大的經濟利益。

Laos is one of Asia』s poorest countries.

寮國是亞洲最貧窮的國家之一。

So when the railway is finished by late 2021, it』ll be hoping it』s big investment will start paying off straightaway.

所以當鐵路在2021年年末結束時，寮國希望這項巨大投資可以馬上開始取得收益。

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