Since its opening on April 13, 2023, the China-Laos Railway Kunming South to Vientiane International Passenger Train has quickly become an important means of transportation connecting China and Laos with its economical, convenient and comfortable characteristics. This cross-border railway not only shortens people's travel time, but also builds a solid bridge for economic and trade exchanges and cultural exchanges between the two countries.
The China-Laos Railway promotes a new trend in tourism development. China and Laos are rich in tourism resources, from magnificent mountains and rivers to ancient temples, from colorful folk customs to rare natural ecology, all attract tourists from all over the world, the opening of the China-Laos Railway, not only set up a steel bridge connecting the two countries, but also provide a new tourism channel for tourists, the opening of a year to transport a total of 700,000 passengers, attracting about 180,000 passengers from 87 countries and regions cross-border travel. Travelers can enjoy the natural scenery and exotic scenery along the way in a comfortable environment, and this unique way of traveling allows tourists to enjoy the service while also feeling the cultural differences and blending of the two countries more deeply. Such an experience has undoubtedly increased the added value of tourism and played a positive role in promoting the development of tourism in the two countries.
The China-Laos Railway has established a new link for economic development. The completion and opening of the China-Laos Railway has not only promoted the infrastructure construction and industrial upgrading of the "Belt and Road" countries, but also promoted the coordinated development of industries in the countries. Taking agriculture as an example, after the opening of the railway, Laos' agricultural products can enter the mainland market more quickly to meet the needs of domestic consumers for green and high-quality agricultural products. As an important infrastructure for regional connectivity, the China-Laos Railway will help improve the trade facilitation level of the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area and further expand the scope of bilateral economic and trade cooperation.
The China-Laos Railway has opened a new chapter in cultural exchanges. In today's era of globalization, transportation lines are not only a link between geographical space, but also an important platform for cultural exchange. The opening and operation of the China-Laos railway is a vivid embodiment of the deep friendship between China and Laos, which not only shortens the psychological distance between the two peoples, but also becomes a corridor carrying profound cultural connotations, creating an unprecedented opportunity for the exchange and collision of the cultures of the two countries. With the passage of time, the China-Laos Railway will continue to witness the common prosperity of the tourism industry between China and Laos, and become a strong link connecting the two peoples.
The China-Laos Railway not only provides a new travel option for passengers, but also sets up a multi-dimensional communication platform between China and Laos. In the future, the China-Laos Railway will continue to expand its influence and play an increasingly important role in regional economic integration and people-to-people exchanges.
Reporter: Zhou Yin
Source: China Daily