China, Japan likely cooperate on Thai project under Belt & Road, report

The construction site of the railway construction project between China and Thailand, in Thailand. (Xinhua)

China and Japan may cooperate on the BTS railway construction project in Thailand, making it the first project that Japan will be involved in under the Belt and Road Initiative, according to Japan's Asahi Shimbun report.

The project will extend the railway track about 50 kilometers to suburban airports. The current railway track connects Phaya Thai station in the center of Bangkok with Suvarnabhumi International airport.

According to Asahi Shimbun, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe believes that cooperation with China on the Belt and Road Initiative is beneficial to both countries. The Japanese government is negotiating with China to work on the Belt and Road Initiative in a third country.