China started construction Friday of two more expressways from southern Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region to Vietnam.

One of the roads, from Baise City to the Jingxi County bordering Vietnam, stretches 134 kilometers, and will cost 6.67 billion yuan (nearly US$1 billion). The other one links Jingxi with another border county Napo, is 92 kilometers long and will cost 6.12 billion yuan (US$0.9 billion).

The two roads are also connected with the Longbang Port in Guangxi.

Yu Changwen, Chief Executive of the Guangxi Communications Investment Group Co. Ltd., said the two highways would become important channels from southwest China to Southeast Asia.

"They will help boost the formation of the Sino-ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) free trade zone," he said.

"With the improvement in local traffic conditions, the development of mining and tourism in Guangxi will also be accelerated," said Yang Daoxi, the regional vice chairman.

Guangxi has planned to build 24 transportation routes to Vietnam, of which 10 are already in operation.

(Xinhua News Agency September 25, 2009)