The headline number certainly jumps out, but $50b spaced over, say, ten years is definitely no particular problem for China (or any major economic power for that matter).
The Panama Canal cost between $7b and $10b in today's dollar ($375m originally), and of course thousands died in the process of construction. Between higher labor and material costs, making this much larger, nicer, and avoiding thousands dying, a $40b or $50b cost wouldn't be surprising.
The Panama Canal cost between $7b and $10b in today's dollar ($375m originally), and of course thousands died in the process of construction. Between higher labor and material costs, making this much larger, nicer, and avoiding thousands dying, a $40b or $50b cost wouldn't be surprising.