Correct. This Nikkei article pisses me off. I have traveled to Luang Prabang, and have witnessed that railway line being constructed there. Those anti-China donkeys around the world don't truly appreciate the kinda work that was being done there to build that line.
To build that railway line, first the Chinese and Laotian builders had to clear the lands of UXOs left behind by yours truly: Uncle Sam. If I'm not mistaken, they must clear UXOs about 3km on either sides of the rail lines. That's a lot of area to clear UXOs, an extremely hazardous and often underappreciated work. They need to transport heavy equipment to remote jungle locations. Over rivers without bridges, through hilly terrain, and thick rainforests. Could you imagine the costs? China is the one footing most of the bill upfront for this monumental project. Even in a pandemic, the project could still move along.
Nikkei should ask if the Japanese and Western governments and corporations would ever take such risks? I can bet that a project like this would never get past the feasibility study stage. Uncle Sam, wouldn't spend a single cent to clean up the UXOs it left behind in Laos till today. Those UXOs are still killing and maiming Laotians till today. Japan may have helped with some infrastructure projects in the urban areas of Laos, but there's nothing in comparison to this Chinese project.
Those China haters like to say:
1) "But the tickets are too expensive for the average Laotians".
Yeah, but do you know the work that was done to build that railway? In any case, when the incomes of the average Laotians inevitably improve because of that railway, they will be able to afford it.
2) "Its a waste of money! Laotians don't need this white elephant project!".
Is that you saying from the comforts of your little apartment? Go ask a Laotian who have endured decades of land-locked isolation what they think.
3) "Its a Chinese debt trap!"
Go look into the mirror. You wanna see actual debt traps? Go check out the conditions for loaning money from the World Bank or the IMF. Lookout for your favorite words: Austerity, Privatization, De-regulation, Human Rights, etc. Despite several countries failing to pay up their BRI debt, China was able to forgive many bad debts. Plus, China did not take control of any Chinese-built infrastructure without the consent of the local governments.
4) "CCP is evil. Don't work with them."
Then what are the alternatives? Would Japan and the West build that railway that Laos desperately needs? No? Then what do you expect Laos to do? Stand still?
Those China-hating donkeys still don't understand what is going on. Laos is one of the greatest tragedies of human rights. Their human right to live a normal life have been denied by American UXOs. USA spends millions on propaganda to spread 'human rights values'. Why has it not spent a single cent to actually clean up those UXOs? Why should the Laotians choose to listen to USA over China? Evil CCP? At least the 'Evil CCP' is helping Laos develop. While 'Good USA' had littered Laos with UXOs, and is only just giving lip service. Japan is only a little better than the USA; it has not done much to seriously help Laos to develop. Japan and the West have no rights to lecture Laos on what is best for it, that is for Laos to decide for itself.
