This paper examines why the Chinese and Laotian governments promoted the construction of the China-Laos Railway and the problems with the construction of the Railway. The motivation for the Chinese government's eagerness to promote HSR abroad is explained by its economic benefits, geopolitical aspects, and increased Chinese military influence. The construction of the highspeed railway in Southeast Asia is expected to encourage economic integration between China and ASEAN countries, combined with increased Chinese influence. There were three significant reasons why the Lao government agreed to construct the China-Laos Railway. Laos decided to transform itself from a "land-locked" country into a "land-linked" country so that its economy would develop. The railway development would also allow the Laos government to overcome the concerns and oppositions of the Lao people who are dominated by a single party under the country's political system and therefore difficult to oppose the project strongly. In addition, Laos' bargaining power was not strong enough against China, who was free of competition in proposing and constructing the railway project. There are many dilemmas and drawbacks surrounding the construction of the China-Laos Railway. The most significant of these is the financial sustainability of Laos. The debt of the railway construction is too large for Lao's scale of its economy. The bilateral relationship would lead to a long-term unequal relationship in which Laos will be both economically dependent and politically subordinate to China.
Sumie Yoshikawa (Mon,) studied this question.