BOTEN, Laos -- Neon signs light up the night in Muangxay, an urban area in the northern province of Oudomxay, Laos. Many have the two Chinese characters that mean "hotel," one of numerous indications of China's influence in this zone about 80km south of the border. The province is home to a scattered population of some 270,000.
Economy
Laos finds Chinese funding can come at a cost
An employee at a local restaurant in Muangxay, a city in northern Laos, accepts yuan. According to the owner, 30% of customers use the Chinese currency. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
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