23 countries sign historic road agreement
27/4/2004 15:19
On April 26, officials representing 23 nations signed in Shanghai a
historic agreement to complete a gigantic Asian highway network which will cover
32 Asian nations and a total of 140,000 kilometers.
This is the first
inter-government agreement ever inked in 57 years after the foundation of the
United Nations Social and Economic Communication for Of Asia and the Pacific,
which is now holding its 60th session in the city.
The highway, once
completed, will originate in Tokyo, connect the Koreas by ferry, cross the
continent to Istanbul and eventually reach the border of Finland.
It will
link Shanghai, an important transport hub in the Asia-Pacific region, with other
Chinese cities including Beijing and Urumqi of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous
Region.
In addition to the existing 11,000 kilometers, China will build
another 15,000 kilometers to fulfil its contribution to the network of 26,000
kilometers.
The roads which will be completed by 2010, will cover a
population of 300 million in 130 Chinese cities, including 65 tourism
cities.
The road network will help improve regional cooperation between China
and other Asian Pacific countries, Zhang Chunxian, Minister of Communications,
stressed.
On behalf of China government, Zhang signed the agreement
yesterday.
He said the highway will also help promote the development of West
China.
Jane Chen / Shanghai Daily news
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