China builds highway to Everest base camp
CHINA: China has begun building a highway to Mount Everest
base camp, partly to smooth the way for the carrying of the Olympic
torch up to the highest peak in the world, state press reported Tuesday.
The new road will begin at the base of the mountain in China’s Tibet
region and replace a rough 108-kilometre (67-mile) track that leads to
base camp, the Xinhua news agency reported.
Construction of the 150-million-yuan (20-million-dollar) highway
began on Monday and will take about four months to complete, according
to Xinhua. The road is being built to “ease the path of those bearing
the Olympic torch,” Xinhua said.
Organisers of next year’s Beijing Olympics have said they intend to
include the summit of Mount Everest in the 130-day torch relay leading
up to the Games.
The relay, which will traverse five continents, will begin in Beijing
on March 31 next year, with the attempt to reach the summit of Everest
slated for May.
The Xinhua report also said the new highway would help ease the way
for the growing number of tourists who are travelling to base camp,
which is 5,200 metres (17,160 feet) above sea level.
Beijing, Tuesday, AFP |