To ensure the success of China-supported railway projects being carried out in Indonesia and Thailand, the Chinese government is calling for closer cooperation with the two countries.

At a recent news briefing, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hong Lei said that the consensus China has made with the two Southeast Asian countries to build the railway projects is based on mutual benefit and is expected to be a "win-win" proposition for all parties involved, reported Xinhua via China Daily. 

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According to Hong, the concerned national departments of the three countries are in constant communication to keep each other updated on the progress of the China-funded railway projects.

"We will push for the smooth construction of the railways to benefit the Indonesian and Thai people and to improve economic development, people-to-people exchanges and connectivity in the region," he said.

In October of last year, China Railway forged an agreement with Indonesia's state-owned enterprises which led to the establishment of a joint venture to build and operate the Jakarta-Bandung railway.

Under the agreement, the Indonesian companies will control 60 percent of the stake in the venture.

The 150-km railway project is projected to reduce travel time from Jakarta to Bandung from more than three hours to less than 40 minutes.

In 2014, China and Thailand inked a deal which aimed to develop Thailand's transportation infrastructure.

Thai sources reveal that the Bangkok-Nakhon Ratchasima railway will purchase Chinese-built trains and use Chinese technology and signal systems.

The Chinese-supported railway project will operate at top speeds of 160 to 180 kilometers per hour.

Tagschina, railway project, Foreign Ministry, Thailand, Indonesia