China is set to hold the third plenary session of its 20th Central Committee from July 15 to July 18 in Beijing. The primary agenda focuses on further deepening reforms and advancing Chinese modernization, marking what is considered China's second revolution. This monumental journey has not only transformed China but also significantly impacted the global landscape.
Economic globalization has been a prevailing trend in human society's development. However, recent years have seen challenges due to geopolitics, trade protectionism, and the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite these hurdles, China, as the world's second-largest economy and a leading trading nation, has steadfastly pursued a policy of high-level opening-up.
China has championed several global initiatives, reinforcing the multilateral economic and trade cooperation system. Among these, the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) stands out as a successful effort to build a community with a shared future in international economic and trade development.
A prime example of the BRI in action is the China-Laos Railway, which stretches from Kunming in China to Vientiane, the capital of Laos. Before its opening in 2021, the Thanaleng Station in Vientiane was the only passenger railway station in Laos, featuring basic infrastructure and old trains. Travelers would take a 15-minute train ride to Nong Khai Station in neighboring Thailand to continue their journey. The China-Laos Railway has since become a top priority for the Lao government, transforming the nation from a landlocked country into a land-linked one.
Since its inauguration, the China-Laos Railway has experienced robust passenger and freight traffic. The journey from Kunming to Vientiane can now be completed within a day, significantly facilitating travel between the two countries and boosting tourism and trade cooperation. This \"golden transport corridor\" now carries goods from numerous ASEAN countries, allowing products like Lao sticky rice and Thai durians to reach Chinese consumers in just three days.
Beyond trade, the railway has stimulated local employment by hiring over 3,500 Lao workers and indirectly creating more than 100,000 jobs in logistics, commerce, and tourism. This development has enabled many young people from Laos's mountainous regions to step out of their villages and engage with the wider world, fostering economic growth and enhancing cultural exchanges.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
