BANGKOK (AFP) – Laos is set to open a US$6 billion (S$8 billion) Chinese-built railway on Friday (Dec 3), with debt concerns balanced against hopes it could boost the reclusive nation’s struggling economy. The 414km route took five years to construct under China’s trillion-dollar Belt and Road Initiative. Analysts have acknowledged the potential economic boost, but have queried how infrastructure-poor Laos will pay its US$1.06 billion debt – and whether it is ready to exploit the state-of-the-art transport system. But Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said on Wednesday the “flagship project” would give a “boost to Laos’ strategy to...