IO has bottomed out...moving UP, page-5

"The launch of China-Thailand and China-Laos railway projects marks a milestone in stepping up connectivity in the Asia-Pacific region.
The China-Laos railway is the first overseas route that will connect Laos with the vast railway system in China. The 845-km railway in Thailand will be connected to the China-Laos railway.
The two railway projects are expected to help promote exchanges and cooperation among Asia-Pacific countries in trade, investment, logistics, tourism, science and technology and culture."

"When the Belt and Road initiative gets underway, it will create demand and opportunities for people in the Asia-Pacific region for many years," said Elaine Lo, senior partner and Asia chair of Mayer Brown JSM.
"You provide infrastructure first and then development will come. Without infrastructure no sustainable development can happen," Pieter P. Bottelier, a senior adjunct professor of China studies at the School of Advanced International Studies of the Johns Hopkins University said.