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  1. #1
    Thailand Expat misskit's Avatar
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    Chinese Investments in Laos Soar, but Little Wealth is Spread

    China’s investment in Laos has climbed since 1989 to a cumulative $16 billion, but little of this money has benefited ordinary citizens, while the negative impact from Chinese development projects isn’t being counted accurately, Lao sources say.


    Sonexay Siphandone—Minister of Investment and Planning—told a meeting with Chinese investors last month that “Chinese investment takes top place on the list in Laos, with over 800 small, medium, and large-scale projects at a total value of $16 billion.”


    Foreign investment totals are added to calculations of the country’s GDP, which was $19 billion in 2020, “but mega projects such as hydropower dams and other infrastructure schemes don’t distribute their benefits equally to local people,” a Lao researcher told RFA, speaking on condition of anonymity for reasons of security.


    “It’s unacceptable that we should talk about the value of investments when these aren’t shared to support the people’s interests.”


    For example, a high-speed Lao-China railway under construction in Laos at a projected cost of $6 billion has benefited more Chinese than Lao workers, the researcher said.


    “The majority of workers have been imported from China, while unskilled Lao workers have been recruited at much lower salaries,” he said.


    In the agricultural sector, the overuse of herbicides and pesticides by Chinese-invested banana plantations in northern Laos have harmed the environment and health of people living in surrounding areas, he added.


    “This is not sustainable development, because the impacted communities are not allowed full participation in the [management of the] farms. In theory, these are win-win arrangements, but in practice things are absolutely different,” he said.


    Chinese hydropower and mining projects, the Lao-China railway, and an expressway project in the Lao capital Vientiane have also displaced thousands of families, many of whom lost their farms, incomes, and ways of life in the process.


    “These were huge impacts, and it will take a long time now for things to be returned to their normal condition,” the researcher said.


    “I travel in the north and I see banana plantations that have been abandoned. The Chinese owners went back to China, and the Lao workers have not been paid their salaries,” he said.


    'A huge gap'


    Also speaking to RFA, a Lao legal advisor who asked not to be named said, “Lao workers on Chinese projects are paid smaller salaries, while Chinese businessmen buy hotels, guesthouses, and restaurants in places that the Lao-China railway runs through.”


    There is a huge gap between the value of Chinese investments in Laos and the negative impacts they create, the legal advisor said, adding, “No one can express concerns about these things in public out of fear for their safety.”


    “It makes no sense to just tell people the high value of Chinese investments,” agreed a Lao businessman, also speaking on condition of anonymity.


    “The impact of Chinese investment projects is that the environment is ruined and that local people lose their ways to make a living, and no one reports the estimated costs of this,” he said.


    Requests for comment by senior officials of Laos’ Ministry of Investment and Planning received no response.


    A lower-level ministry official, however, said that Laos and China, countries with similar one-party political systems, are working to strengthen Laos’ economy by building a “community of common destiny” – a phrase from a 2017 speech by Chinese President Xi Jinping.


    Laos is now drowning in debt with at least $400 million due in loans this year that can’t be repaid, with cash flows crippled in the country because of a shutdown of the economy due to COVID-19 and another $1 billion coming due each year from 2022-2025, experts said in earlier reports.


    State officials and Lao researchers say they now see no way the one-party communist state can meet the debts it owes foreign lenders, mostly in China but also in Thailand and Vietnam, amid the global pandemic.


    China is Laos’ largest foreign investor and aid provider, and its second-largest trade partner after Thailand.

    Chinese Investments in Laos Soar, but Little Wealth is Spread — Radio Free Asia

  2. #2
    Thailand Expat harrybarracuda's Avatar
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    This is not sustainable development
    Of course it isn't and the chinkies know it. They will suck the place dry and discard it when it is of no further use than as a railway siding.

  3. #3
    I'm in Jail

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    Same as it was before. nothings changed.

    Funny when the Chinese spread their wings around the globe, Its a drama, though whilst the western countries do, its down to bringing democracy to the needy.

  4. #4
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    The Chinese are smart business people, buying up lots of Thailand as well

    Chinese bet on properties in Thailand ahead of COVID recovery -
    Nikkei Asia

  5. #5
    Thailand Expat AntRobertson's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Chico View Post
    Same as it was before. nothings changed.

    Funny when the Chinese spread their wings around the globe, Its a drama, though whilst the western countries do, its down to bringing democracy to the needy.
    Some puddle deep geo-political analysis there.

  6. #6
    Thailand Expat harrybarracuda's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Chico View Post
    The Chinese are smart business people, buying up lots of Thailand as well

    Chinese bet on properties in Thailand ahead of COVID recovery -
    Nikkei Asia
    Yes Pattaya hoteliers have been complaining about the sharks circling.

    If the vultures swoop in from Chinastan, Pattaya will end up like Sihanoukville with zero-dollar chinky tourism galore.

  7. #7
    Thailand Expat OhOh's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by harrybarracuda View Post
    suck the place dry
    China-Laos cooperation bears rich fruit

    Updated: 2021-09-10

    The 2021 China-Laos Economic and Trade Cooperation Forum is held in Nanning, capital of Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region on Sept 9. [Photo by Lin Yanhua/China News Service]

    "The commemorative activity for the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Laos as well as the 2021 China-Laos Economic and Trade Cooperation Forum took place both online and on-site in Nanning, capital of Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region on Sept 9.

    Laotian Minister of Industry and Commerce Khampheng Xaysompheng said in a video speech that the two countries have maintained close communication and the cooperation outcomes have brought much welfare to people.

    The minister added that China is Laos' second largest trade partner and biggest direct foreign investment resource, investing in a total of 882 projects in Laos. China has been continuously offering support and material assistance to Laos for the anti-COVID-19 fight.

    Ren Hongbin, vice minister of commerce, noted that the bilateral trade volume between China and Laos in the first half of 2021 increased by 36.8 percent year on year to 14.89 billion yuan ($2.31billion) and the direct investment made by China in Laos in 2020 stood at $1.24 billion, up 8.9 percent year on year.

    Ren added that China is willing to further deepen economic and trade cooperation with Laos at a new historical point to promote the establishment of the China-Laos community with a shared future.

    He expressed his hope that Laos can make full use of the China-ASEAN Expo to take an active part in showcasing its distinctive products and services, further expanding its exporting scale to China."

    China-Laos cooperation bears rich fruit

    Chinese citizens investing in Laos citizens, it's economy to make both wealthy. Win, Win.

    No "over the horizon" splattering men women and children stories yet?

    Quote Originally Posted by Switch View Post
    Nothing has changed
    Neighbors investing capital to make a profit. Universal. Or wrap the country in aspic for cheap exotic foreign holidays.

    Quote Originally Posted by harrybarracuda View Post
    Pattaya hoteliers have been complaining
    Buyers offering realistic prices. I understand, "It's up to you", is a phrase heard around Asia.
    Being a non-resident, you may not be familiar with the concept.
    Last edited by OhOh; 14-09-2021 at 12:30 PM.
    A tray full of GOLD is not worth a moment in time.

  8. #8
    Thailand Expat harrybarracuda's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by OhOh View Post
    China-Laos cooperation bears rich fruit
    And by rich fruit, they mean the bananas they grow leaving the land toxic and useless.

    Buyers offering realistic prices. I understand, "It's up to you", is a phrase heard around Asia.
    Being a non-resident, you may not be familiar with the concept.
    Well hoohoo supports parasitic chinkies taking advantage of distressed hoteliers so they can fill Pattaya with zero-baht chinky tourists.

    Who'da thunk it?

  9. #9
    Thailand Expat helge's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by OhOh View Post
    Neighbors investing capital to make a profit. Universal.
    I'm sure that they do not invest in Laos for the sake of their blue eyes, but there are "making a profit" and then there are exploitation.

    Do you know how much, in percent of BNP, China spends on development assistance ?

  10. #10
    Thailand Expat harrybarracuda's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by helge View Post
    I'm sure that they do not invest in Laos for the sake of their blue eyes, but there are "making a profit" and then there are exploitation.

    Do you know how much, in percent of BNP, China spends on development assistance ?
    BNP?


  11. #11
    Thailand Expat helge's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by harrybarracuda View Post
    BNP?
    Brutto National Product

    Do you still use the old term, GDP ?

  12. #12
    Thailand Expat harrybarracuda's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by helge View Post
    Brutto National Product

    Do you still use the old term, GDP ?
    GDP is not the same as GNP, and no, I've never heard of "Brutto National Product". Is this scandihooligan?

  13. #13
    Thailand Expat helge's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by harrybarracuda View Post
    , I've never heard of "Brutto National Product"
    You're welcome

  14. #14
    Thailand Expat lom's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by harrybarracuda View Post
    I've never heard of "Brutto National Product". Is this scandihooligan?
    Yes it is, do you find it hard to understand what it translates to? You only have to guess on one of the three words..

  15. #15
    Thailand Expat lom's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by harrybarracuda View Post
    try and use the correct term
    Brutto is a correct English term which is also commonly used in other European countries, not only in the Scandies.
    Gross is a measure, a measure that I've only come across when buying nuts and bolts. It is a squared dozen.

    You must be real daft if you can't figure out what Brutto National Produce is..

  16. #16
    Thailand Expat harrybarracuda's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by lom View Post
    Brutto is a correct English term
    No it fucking isn't.

    FFS.

    You must be real daft if you can't figure out what Brutto National Produce is..
    Derp....
    Last edited by harrybarracuda; 14-09-2021 at 04:02 PM.

  17. #17
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    Shutree's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by lom View Post
    Brutto is a correct English term
    I have to admit that it isn't a term I have heard before. Someone needs to tell the OED, it isn't there yet.

    Definitions, Meanings, Synonyms, and Grammar by Oxford Dictionary on Lexico.com

  18. #18
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    Quote Originally Posted by harrybarracuda View Post
    If the vultures swoop in from Chinastan, Pattaya will end up like Sihanoukville with zero-dollar chinky tourism galore.
    And some casinos? Maybe someone will think that is a good way to revive the economy after Covid. I don't, but there is so much cash in the business that I am sure some decision makers can be influenced. For the benefit of the country, obviously.

  19. #19
    Thailand Expat OhOh's Avatar
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    Allegedly a Latin word.

    Translates to 总的, or Gross.

    You're welcome.
    Last edited by OhOh; 14-09-2021 at 05:16 PM.

  20. #20
    Thailand Expat lom's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Shutree View Post
    I have to admit that it isn't a term I have heard before. Someone needs to tell the OED, it isn't there yet.
    You are right, it seems England is one of a few countries in Europe who doesn't use the word brutto or brut (from french, meaning raw).
    It is still a word that you should have come across many times and be familiar with.

  21. #21
    Thailand Expat OhOh's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Shutree View Post
    And some casinos?
    Some may realise only minimal profits are made from food and accommodation, when dealing with gamblers.

  22. #22
    Thailand Expat helge's Avatar
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    To get it over with:

    Do you want to do 'netto' also ?

  23. #23
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    Quote Originally Posted by lom View Post
    brutto
    Used also for brutto salary - before any deductions

  24. #24
    Thailand Expat harrybarracuda's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Shutree View Post
    And some casinos? Maybe someone will think that is a good way to revive the economy after Covid. I don't, but there is so much cash in the business that I am sure some decision makers can be influenced. For the benefit of the country, obviously.
    They've already got casinos.

    That's how this fucking covid mess in Thailand spread so easily.



    (OK they call them "gambling dens" because they're illegal).

  25. #25
    Thailand Expat harrybarracuda's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by helge View Post
    To get it over with:

    Do you want to do 'netto' also ?

    Also not an English word.

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