Beijing, Nov 21: China and Thailand have started to build a direct current line of 500 kilovolts linking the two neighbouring nations. The 1,070-km electricity line, linking Jinghong in southwest China's Yunnan province and Bangkok, is expected to transmit 300 kw of electricity from 2013 to 2014.

This was disclosed at a meeting of the Mekong sub-region power grids connection attended by China, Thailand, Vietnam, Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos. The Southern Power Grid of China has also signed contracts and Letters of Intent with Thailand, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam on power development in Mekong sub-region areas, the report said.

The total trade volume between China and Thailand in 2002 was 8.56 billion US dollars and in 2003 it is expected to exceed 10 billion US dollars, supported by the elimination of tariffs on all vegetable and fruit products effective since last month. Bureau Report