Four, China has been skillful in utilising divisions in the western camp for this railway effort as with its other national goals.
For instance, three Canadian companies -- Power Corporation, Bombardier and Nortel --are in collaboration with Chinese state-owned Sifang Locomotive in this railway project. Bombardier has built about 361 cars for this railway, worth an estimated $78 million. These were delivered between December 2005 and May 2006. The United States-supplied Bell 206 L helicopter is to be used for aerial photography and sky patrols over the Tibetan railway.
Five, a major consequence of this railway would be the pumping out of natural resources to feed a hungry China. An estimated 1,800 mines of 17 minerals were discovered in Tibet, of which 900 mines were already built up. These mineral resources are worth an estimated $80 billion.
Image: Tourists from mainland China pose before the Potala Palace in Lhasa. The Chinese government promotes Tibet as 'Xizang' which roughly translates into 'western treasure house.'
Earlier Slide Show: The legend of Nathu La
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