A transnational highway linking Kunming City in southwestern China with Bangkok of Thailand will soon start construction, said Chinese Minister of Communications Zhang Chunxian on Monday.

With a total length of 1,887 km, the highway will start in Kunming, capital of Yunnan Province, run through Laos and end in the Thai capital of Bangkok.

China, Laos, Thailand and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) have agreed to launch the project shortly, Zhang said. China will spend about 17.25 billion yuan (US$2.1 billion) to build new highways or renovate old roads in Yunnan Province by 2007.

China will also help Laos to build its section with loans and donations amounting to US$30 million, he said.

Experts say the highway will serve as an important channel of exchange for the proposed China-ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) free trade zone.

(Xinhua News Agency October 27, 2003)