Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao

China's Prime Minister Wen Jiabao has confirmed that his country will provide half of the US$33 million required to build the third bridge over the Mekong between Laos and Thailand.

The confimation was made to Lao officials during the annual ASEAN meeting in Cebu, Philippines. Thailand will chip in the other half of the cost to bridge the bridge that will link China's Yunnan province to Thailand's Chieng Rai province via Laos' Bokeo.

Construction is to begin by the end of 2007 with completion expected in 2010.

Listen to our Laos Today report for more details.