Peru and China have agreed to jointly pursue feasibility studies into a proposed transcontinental railway linking Peru with Brazil.
Peru’s President, Ollanta Humala Tasso, and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang signed a Memorandum of Understanding to carry out preliminary studies into the rail link, which would stretch for more than 5,000 kilometres from the Peru’s Pacific Coast to the Atlantic.
The route, which would likely cut through sections of the Amazon, has raised concerns. In a statement, Li Keqiang described the rainforest as a “treasure of the world”.
The line would significantly reduce freight transport times to and from Asia.
China is currently helping to develop several planned rail projects in South America, including a rail link between Chile and Argentina through the Andes.
