A Chinese company began work Monday on the first link of Route 3 that will stretch 240 Km from the Chinese border to the Thai border via Laos' Luang Namtha and Bokeo provinces. Construction on the first link is being funded by a $30 million combination of loan and grant from the Chinese government.
The second and third links will be funded by loans and grants from the Asian Development Bank and the Thai government.
The superlink is expected to bring great economic benefits to Laos and its Southeast Asian neighbors by facilitating trade with the giant Chinese economy.
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