China-Thailand joint port expansion project bolsters Maritime Silk Road connectivity

Chinese firms are partnering with Thai builders on a new round of port expansion project, the Phase-III expansion work of Laem Chabang Port.

Improved port infrastructure and logistics networks are expected to open up new opportunities for the port to connect with China and global markets and boost Thailand's industrial development, making it an important connectivity node in the country for the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road.

Located in Chonburi Province in eastern Thailand, around 130 km from Bangkok, Laem Chabang Port sits adjacent to the Eastern Economic Corridor, Thailand's manufacturing hub. Every day, huge volumes of containers, automobiles, machinery equipment and agricultural products are shipped from the port to destinations across the globe.

Dozens of kilometers around the port lie multiple large industrial parks, home to clustered manufacturers of automobiles, electronics and machinery.

In the ongoing new round of expansion, Chinese contractors are undertaking Phase-III infrastructure works, including 29 port roads, 16 bridges, a 500‑meter-long coastal berth and supporting container yards.

"Thai‑Chinese cooperation on this construction project is highly important. It helps push forward smooth project delivery and ensures the highest quality and safety standards. Aligned with the Maritime Silk Road initiative, it facilitates Thailand’s trade with the rest of the world. Laem Chabang Port will become a vital hub driving Thailand's trade toward global markets," said Anuson, Thai-side manager for the Chinese-run infrastructure projects.

Upon completion of Phase-III, the port's annual container handling capacity will rise from the current 11 million TEUs to about 18 million TEUs, further strengthening Thailand's logistics capacity linking regional and global markets.

The project has also nurtured a large pool of local engineers and technical personnel.

Pattarapong, a Thai engineer, said the role has brought her steady employment while exposing her to new construction techniques and management practices, building up her hands-on experience in large-scale port construction.

"Local workers account for roughly 70 percent of staff on the ongoing construction site. The Chinese enterprise attaches great importance to creating local jobs and keeps recruiting people from surrounding communities. I am delighted and honored to take part in this project since it is also part of the Maritime Silk Road development," said Pattarapong.

Earlier this year, a new shipping route linking Yantian Port in south China's Shenzhen City, Laem Chabang Port, and Cambodia's Sihanoukville Port was officially launched. It is expected to deepen ties between Thailand and China's Guangdong‑Hong Kong‑Macao Greater Bay Area, and open a fresh cargo import‑export corridor for businesses.

On land, Thailand is pressing ahead with the construction of a railway collection‑and‑distribution system for the port, with plans to boost freight rail links between Laem Chabang Port and northeastern Thailand.

Via maritime shipping lines and overland transport links, Laem Chabang Port connects with Thailand's industrial heartland. As regional transport networks keep improving, the port will further leverage its strengths in combined sea‑and‑land transport.

Over the past 13 years, projects such as this one under the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road have delivered fresh support for connectivity between China and Southeast Asian countries.

The 21st Century Maritime Silk Road is the sea route part of the Belt and Road Initiative proposed by China.

China-Thailand joint port expansion project bolsters Maritime Silk Road connectivity

During China's ongoing National Day holiday, a wide range of events unfolded across the country, drawing visitors to enjoy cuisine, scenery and diverse culture.

The National Day holiday, also known as "Golden Week" in China, runs from Oct 1 to 7, sparking a major travel rush as people across the country take the chance to enjoy a short getaway.

In Zhenjiang City, east China's Jiangsu Province, a riverside scenic belt in Jingkou District launched an immersive cultural tourism event, offering tourists aromatic coffee and splendid folk and pop acoustic performances.

As night fell, a children's flash mob performed the patriotic song "Ode to the Motherland" to wish the country a more prosperous future, while an aerial display lit up the sky, with technological lighting and the riverside night scene complementing each other.

By Qinhu Lake in Jiangsu's Changshu City, museums and cultural institutions from across the country gathered for exhibitions and intangible cultural heritage handicraft experiences. Northern and southern cultural traditions met and interacted at a cultural fair, bringing distinct regional historical memories to life.

In Xinglong County, Chengde City, north China's Hebei Province, the holiday coincided with the peak autumn harvest season. Experiences such as picking hawthorn berries, gathering chestnuts and picking apples attracted many tourists to feel the joy of the harvest.

In the Chaoguan scenic area in Linqing City, east China's Shandong Province, visitors sampled farm dishes and famous local banquet specialties. The authentic rural flavors drew local residents and tourists from across the country.

"Our trip to Linqing is full of rich experiences. We also look forward to coming back again," said Zhang, a tourist.

At night, Linqing's Dongwan Garden was lit by thousands of lanterns. Intangible cultural heritage "iron flowers," a folk art performance of throwing molten iron to create fireworks, was staged, drawing cheers from the crowd.

In Huangmei County, Huanggang City, central China's Hubei Province, a scenic area by the Yangtze River launched a series of splendid performances, allowing tourists to experience the unique charm of Huangmei Opera, a national-level form of intangible cultural heritage.

Many tourists tried making lacquer fans, immersing themselves in traditional lacquer art. Along the riverbank, lights shone brightly as molten-iron fireworks burst into the air, accompanied by a fireworks show.

"The most stunning part was the fireworks show. Combined with the iron flower performance, it was especially breathtaking," said Li Xiaojing, another tourist.

Diverse events across China draw holiday crowds