China’s influence is growing in Laos, but the country’s foreign relations present a more complex picture.
Category: Laos
Laos govt approves Bokeo-Boten expressway linking China, Thailand
The first stage of the 440km expressway has been been built. The contractor estimates it will take 10 years to build the next three sections from Vangvieng district in Vientiane province to the Chinese border in Luang Namtha province, at a cost of US$6 billion.
Lao flood survivors still struggle, with cash and rice support now cut off or reduced
“The authorities said they wouldn’t cut off our support until we had all moved into permanent homes, but now the cash allowance has been stopped and the rice allowance has been cut back since January,” a third Dong Bak villager said.
Climate, biodiversity & farmers benefit from rubber agroforestry: report
On the livelihoods side, there are examples from Laos, Liberia, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Cote D’Ivoire and Nigeria where intercropping with extra food crops, or agroforestry with other cash crops, improves food security and income.
Luang Prabang Dam a threat to World Heritage?
With its huge electrical power reserves, Thailand does not need energy generated by the Luang Prabang Dam. The Lao government would like the nominal gross domestic product and investment growth generated by the project. Planning is well-advanced, but it is not too late to take a cautionary step. Without a signed power purchase agreement between the developers and the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand, development cannot go ahead.
Impending Luang Prabang dam sparks Unesco heritage impact assessment
Despite known challenges, and concerns from both Unesco and environmentalists, the Luang Prabang dam construction moves inevitably forward
Laos to join meetings on rail link
Thailand and China have agreed to seek to hold a monthly tripartite meeting with Laos to review updates on the progress on their plan to connect the Thai-Chinese high-speed rail system in Thailand with Vientiane.
China, Laos unite to boost wildlife protection
“The project aimed to improve the proactiveness of local residents so that they will further participate in ecosystem preservation and Asian elephant monitoring, and at the same time it strove to create opportunities for community development by improving basic living conditions.”