Laos eyes economic stimulus from $6-b Chinese-built railway

07:35 pm by AFP By Lisa Martin and Pathom Sangwongwanich BANGKOK, Thailand—A new $6-billion Chinese-built railway line opens in Laos this week, bringing hopes of an economic boost to the reclusive nation, but experts are questioning the benefits of a project that has seen thousands of farmers evicted from their land. The 414-kilometer (260-mile) route, due to open on December 3, took five years to construct under China's trillion-dollar Belt and Road Initiative, which funds infrastructure projects aimed at increasing Beijing's clout globally. This frame grab from Lao National TV video footage taken on October 16, 2021 via AFPTV shows…