China Building Roads To Laos

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30103, 10 April 1963, Page 15

China Building Roads To Laos

(N.Z Press Association—Copyright)

PARIS, April 9. ’S.E.A.T.O. officials in Paris said China was quietly developing a network of strategic roads to Laos, Thailand and Burma, the British United Press reported. The roads, now well under way, could give China easy access to the South-east Asian peninsula. The move was seen in line with China’s growing desire to strengthen

its status in Asia, which has become increasingly apparent during the current conflict with Russia for leadership of the Communist camp. Already China has been using the roads to Laos as a supply line for pro-Com-munist Pathet Lao forces, who are now threatening to upset the uneasy peace in Laos. According to intelligence reports, China also was quietly pushing a strategic road through north-west Laos towards the borders of Thailand. A further road believed to be skirting the Laos border was ostensibly designed to run towards Burma. British United Press said.

The Chinese have been silent about it and little information about the details of the strategic scheme has so far been released by Allied officials. S.E.A.T.O. leaders are suspicious of the move, comparing it with the secret Chinese road-building activities which preceded the Chinese invasion of India.. They are thinking of the Chinese strategic roads in the Ladakh area, which were constructed by China in great secrecy and later used for the movement of equipment through the Himalayas to outflank the Indians. There are no indications at present that China is planning any major manoeuvre in South-east Asia, except for backing the Pathet Lao, but Allied strategists are keeping a watchful eye on these developments.