by fulltimestudent 6 Replies latest social current
The Nicaragua route was under consideration from early in the Nineteenth century.
And in 1985, the Minneapolis Tribune published this cartoon advocating that the US
government build a canal in Nicaragua.
So now, it seems it will be built, and will accommodate the largest ships
in the world (which the Panama canal cannot).
Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega, left, with Wang Jing during the framework
agreement for the construction of the canal (AFP)
Mr Wang said he would name his investors in the next two months, but added that all the funds necessary
had already been secured from China, Europe and the United States. “Our investors are big banks and
other large institutions,” he said. “They are first class investors”.
Mr Wang in his Beijing office. He insists there is no Chinese government
involvement. Mr Wang states:
"There are 5000 people working on the feasibility study alone", Mr Wang said.
He has also employed a score of international law firms to safeguard his 100-year
lease on the route against a change in Nicaragua’s political climate, and there are
also reports that McKinsey, the consultancy, has been hired.
For a possible American view, see this Voice of America report (with video)
http://www.voanews.com/content/new-nicaragua-canal-may-change-global-trade/1739153.html
Wow
They've been talking about that canal for a long time. Just not sure if it's the right call. Sounds like they just want to tweak the Americans more than anything. They don't even run or own the Panama Canal anymore - Panama does. Take the existing and shorter canal and make it better, rather than cut through remote jungle and disturb an otherwise pristine environment.
Interesting. Thanx for posting.
LMAS:
They've been talking about that canal for a long time.
Yup! (Grin)- Since, some sources say, the early 19th C. Some suggest that the Americans may have thought it the better route, but had the chance to buy the French efforts in Panama cheaply and couldb't resist the bargain.
Just not sure if it's the right call. Sounds like they just want to tweak the Americans more than anything.
Could be! Or alternately, the Chinese may just want to 'control' (i.e. have influence over) their own routes.
They're spending a lot of money on alternative routes everywhere. New rail routes to Europe, that connect all of S.E.Asia and South Asia also.
A new pipeline through Pakistan to China, with plans for new rail links there also. and new roads (Gwadar to Kashgar).
A new pipeline from the coast of Myanmar to Kunming in Yunnan province, that will also have road and rail links.
Both the Pakistan route and the Myanmar route enable Chinese freight to bypass teh ovesr-crowded Malacca straits.
An agreement is being finalised with Thailand to link a new Very Fast Rail system in Thailand into the Chinese VFT network, it will eventually extend to Singapore.
With Global warming, the Chinese are working with the Russians and North Korea to develop a northern sea route to the north of Siberian Russia that, it is estimated will be open for 4-6 months a year in the not-to-distant future.
All these routes have one thing in common, if the USA becomes hostile in the future, they will have alternative routes available that China has influence over, and which depend on Chinese prosperity.
What do you think?
They (USA) don't even run or own the Panama Canal anymore - Panama does.
The USA maintains military forces in Panama. What does that mean?
Take the existing and shorter canal and make it better,
Umm! The present Panama canal is still undergoing a program of improvement and widening.
Unfortunately, it will not be able to service the new generation of the largest cargo vessels, that are very efficient. The Chinese canal would (it is said) be able to take these ships.
rather than cut through remote jungle and disturb an otherwise pristine environment.
Yes! sounds great doesn't it? Sadly, for all the world to attain the living standards that North Americans (and, I suppose western Europeans) have enjoyed for decades, means that we have to eliminate all wilderness, or something like that.
I guess, maybe the whole world could impose a one child policy?
