 Poster: A snowHead
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China has announced the completion of a pan-Himalayan railway connecting China and Tibet, claimed to be the highest in the world. The line climbs to an altitude of 5072m and crosses Tibet's snow-covered 'frozen belt', 550km long.
The altitude of the railway is such that construction workers have used bottled oxygen. Passengers will ride in carriages pressurised like aircraft cabins to avoid altitude sickness.
Construction of the line, 1956 kilometres long, commenced in 2001. Operational tests will take place next year, with a view to the railway carrying passengers in late 2006 or 2007.
Reports and photos from China View and BBC News. This report from Reuters AlertNet looks at some issues raised by the railway's construction and future operation.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Shame the BBC report doesn't mention the disasterous consequences this railway will have for the Tibetan people. The railway will be used by the Chinese gov to rapidly increase the number of Chinese immigrants into Tibet. This has the effect of further destroying Tibetan culture. As it is the Tibetans are already outnumbered by Chinese in their own country. The other motivation for the railway is to enable greater exploitation of the natural resources of Tibet.
The Chinese gov doesn't give a f*ck about the Tibetan people, China's investments in Tibet are for the benefit of the Chinese only.
Also, Xinhua (China View) news agency is utterly untrustworthy, as it is a mouthpiece of the utterly untrustworthy Chinese government.
Rant over.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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Interesting points. Let's try and source some more articles on the impact of this railway. The viewpoint of the Tibetan people is obviously vital.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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A current discussion on this very topic among Tibetans and others is on Phayul.com
Australia Tibet Council give an excellent short summary of Tibet and the Chinese invasion.
The UK's Free Tibet organisation have a campaign against the railway.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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| xyzpaul wrote: |
| This has the effect of further destroying Tibetan culture. As it is the Tibetans are already outnumbered by Chinese in their own country. |
Sounds a little bit like Chamonix!
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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davidof, the lack of Tibetans or surplus of Chinese?
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| FenlandSkier wrote: |
| davidof, the lack of Tibetans or surplus of Chinese? |
substitute French and English and "Budget Airlines" and you should get the picture.
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