Since its December 3, 2021 inauguration, the China-Laos Railway has transformed cross-border travel and trade across Southeast Asia.
Stretching 1,035 kilometers from Kunming in Yunnan Province to Vientiane, the line has handled over 62.5 million passenger trips and moved more than 72.5 million tonnes of cargo to date, according to China State Railway Group Co., Ltd.
By slashing logistics costs by up to 50 percent on the Kunming-Thailand corridor and cutting domestic transport expenses in Laos by up to 40 percent, the railway is driving down barriers for businesses and travelers alike.
The introduction of international passenger services between Kunming and Vientiane on April 13, 2023 further fueled tourism growth, offering a scenic, efficient alternative for digital nomads and culture seekers exploring the Greater Mekong Subregion.
Looking ahead, experts say the railway will continue to catalyze regional supply chain integration, sustainable tourism, and economic development across the Greater Mekong Subregion.
Reference(s):
China-Laos Railway boosts regional tourism, trade connectivity
cgtn.com
