March 14, 2013 - Boten, Luang Namtha, Laos - Empty Chinese hotels at the end of Highway 13 in the Boten Special Economic Zone. The SEZ is in Laos immediately south of the Lao Chinese border. It has turned into a Chinese enclave but many of the businesses struggle because their goods are too expensive for local Lao to purchase. Some of the hotels and casinos in the area have been forced to close by the Chinese government after reports of rigged games. As China's economy and its role on the world stage expands China's role in Southeast Asia is also becoming more evident. In Laos, which borders Y

• Contributor: ZUMA Press, Inc. / Alamy Stock Photo
• Image ID: D4X92W
• File size: 63.3 MB (2.1 MB Compressed download)
• Releases: Model - no | Property - no
• Dimensions: 5760 x 3840 px | 48.8 x 32.5 cm | 19.2 x 12.8 inches | 300dpi
• Date taken: 14 March 2013
• Photographer: ZUMA Press

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This image could have imperfections as it’s either historical or reportage.

March 14, 2013 - Boten, Luang Namtha, Laos - Empty Chinese hotels at the end of Highway 13 in the Boten Special Economic Zone. The SEZ is in Laos immediately south of the Lao Chinese border. It has turned into a Chinese enclave but many of the businesses struggle because their goods are too expensive for local Lao to purchase. Some of the hotels and casinos in the area have been forced to close by the Chinese government after reports of rigged games. As China's economy and its role on the world stage expands China's role in Southeast Asia is also becoming more evident. In Laos, which borders Yunnan province in southern China, the Special Economic Zone in Boten is essentially a Chinese enclave, Chinese owned businesses dominate the area. There's a little used Chinese department store in Oudomxay, about 100 kilometers from the border. China is helping improve Laos' highways and is in talks to bring a high speed rail system to Laos, which currently has no rail lines. For China it's a chance to expand their political influence and access to world markets. China plans to export items through Laos to deepwater ports in Thailand and Myanmar and then onto global markets. But first Laos' rudimentary highways need to be improved and more bridges built across the Mekong River. (Credit Image: © Jack Kurtz/ZUMAPRESS.com)