ネパールへ伸びるチベット鉄道

中国はラサから鉄道を伸ばす建設作業をすすめ、将来的にはネパールのニャラムNyalamへ線路を通すほか、ブータンとシッキムの近くのドロモDromoにも線路を延ばす。また中国が領土領有を主張するインドのアルナチャルプラデシュ州に近いニンチNyingchiにも線路を通す計画だ。またネパールは中国からの線路を首都カトマンズまで延長することを望んでいて、実現すればネパールにおける中国の影響力がますます増すことになる。また中国側のエベレストへの観光客の増加が予想され環境保護団体の心配の種となっている。

So are the Indians. The government in Delhi has been nervously watching China’s build-up of infrastructure in Tibet. The extension to Shigatse, besides facilitating military movements near China’s border with India, is likely to boost trade with Nepal, where the two giants are vying for influence in a power struggle that is still going on. China has long-term plans for more extensions of the line, to Nyalam on the border with Nepal and to Dromo near Bhutan and the Indian state of Sikkim. Nepal wants the railway extended to Kathmandu, which India fears would give China more clout in a country India sees as part of its sphere of influence. Another proposed line, from Lhasa east to Nyingchi, would bring the network close to the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh, most of which China claims.

http://www.economist.com/node/17204635?story_id=17204635
http://d.hatena.ne.jp/huixing/20060830/railway