A Chinese scheme to build an east-west railway across South America, cutting across parts of the Amazon rain forest, has moved a step closer after Peru agreed to study the proposal.

中国计划穿过亚马逊雨林，建设一条从东到西穿越南美的铁路。在秘鲁同意对提案进行研究后，该计划又前进了一步。

The scheme would link Peru's Pacific coast with Brazil's Atlantic shores.

该计划将把秘鲁太平洋沿岸和巴西大西洋沿岸地区连接起来。

The decision came after talks between the Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang, and Peruvian President Ollanta Humala.

这一决定是在中国总理李克强和秘鲁总统乌马拉会谈后做出的。

If completed, the railway would stretch 5,300km but campaigners fear the impact on indigenous¹ people.

这条铁路完工后将长达5300公里，但社会活动家们担心它可能对当地居民有不利影响。

Brazil, China and Peru will now begin feasibility studies into the railway.

巴西、中国和秘鲁将开始对这条铁路进行可行性研究。

Mr Li secured Brazil's consent earlier this week, as part of his tour of Latin America.

作为拉美访问的一部分，李克强总理本周早些时候和巴西达成了一致。

The railway would "consolidate² Peru's geopolitical position as a natural gateway³ to South America", President Humala said.

秘鲁总统乌马拉表示，这条铁路将巩固秘鲁作为通往南美的天然大门的地缘政治地位。

For China, it would reduce the cost of shipping⁴ raw materials and farm products.

对于中国，它将减少原材料和农产品的运输成本。

But campaigners are concerned it might destroy untouched parts of the Amazon rainforest, affecting hundreds of indigenous communities.

但社会活动家们担心它将破坏亚马逊雨林的原貌，对数百个土著社区产生影响。

Mr Li sought to ease fears, saying "to create the infrastructure⁵, it is necessary to protect the environment" in a declaration with Mr Humala, AFP reported.

法新社报道，李克强总理试图缓解人们对此的担忧，他在和乌马拉总统的联合声明中表示，“必须在进行基础设施建设的同时保护环境”。

It is likely to cost more than $10 billion. The route is still being examined, but would begin in the gigantic Brazilian port of Acu and ending at a Peruvian port.

该铁路可能耗资超过100亿美元。它的起点和终点将分别为巴西的巨型港口阿苏港和某个秘鲁港口，但具体路线仍在研究中。

The Chinese President, Xi Jinping, pledged earlier this year to invest $250 billion in Latin America over the next decade.

中国国家主席习近平在今年早些时候承诺将在未来10年内向拉丁美洲投资2500亿美元。