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China rebuilds landmark African railway
China has finished rebuilding the landmark Benguela railway, connecting the African nations of Angola and Democratic Republic of Congo.
The 1344-km railway, which took seven years to rebuild, is the second longest ever to be constructed by China in Africa.
China Railway Construction, the company, which carried out the project, says that it involved a total investment of $1.83 billion.
It had been awarded the project in 2006, after its cost-effective bid bested competitors from the US, Brazil, Russia and Portugal.
The Benguela railway was first built by the Portuguese in 1929. It suffered extensive damage damaged during the 27-year Angolan civil war, which began in 1975.
The completion of the Benguela railroad will only boost China’s credentials among the African nations. Already, many of them are keen on inviting Chinese companies to help build rail networks.
In fact, during Premier Li Keqiang’s visit to Kenya in May this year, the two countries signed a deal for China to build a new railway line between Nairobi and Mombasa, Kenya’s second largest city.
The line will be built as per Chinese railway design standards, and is expected to be completed in five years.
Chinese technology and experience in rail networks, particularly with regard to high-speed railways, have also evoked the interest of Latin American buyers.
During President Xi Jinping’s visit to Latin America last month, China, Brazil and Peru issued a joint statement on building a transcontinental railway project.
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