Chinese Premier Li Qiang and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim kicked off construction of the ECRL's Gombak terminal this week, marking a major milestone for Belt and Road cooperation 🚄. The leaders shoveled ceremonial dirt at what will become a crucial hub connecting Malaysia's east and west coasts.
'This isn't just tracks and trains – it's about unlocking opportunities,' Premier Li told workers in hard hats. The $10 billion project promises to:
🚊 Cut travel time across Malaysia by 50%
👷♀️ Create 80,000+ local jobs
🌐 Link to China-Laos and China-Thailand railways
The mega-project aims to supercharge regional trade through ASEAN's New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor. Think of it as Southeast Asia's new economic bloodstream 💸 – with Malaysia right at its heart.
Building More Than Railways
Beyond steel tracks, both leaders emphasized people-first development. Premier Li highlighted plans for skills training programs and environmental protections 🍃 during construction. The railway is expected to connect 10+ Malaysian cities when completed in 2027.
