On January 2, an international cargo train loaded with fresh fruit and vegetables departed from the Kunming cargo terminal of China United International Rail Containers Co., Ltd. in Yunnan province on its way to Vientiane, the capital of Laos.
Since the China-Laos Railway began operating in December 2021, the total cargo throughput has exceeded 50 million tons.
Adhering to high-speed rail maintenance standards, the railway undergoes detailed adjustments every two weeks, with precision repairs measured to 0.1 millimeters. The use of drones, rail inspection vehicles, and other intelligent equipment has significantly improved the efficiency and accuracy of maintenance, ensuring smooth and comfortable train journeys.
The railway is also equipped with intelligent tools for track protection, including monitoring and early warning systems for heavy rain and strong winds. Over the past three years, the railway has withstood 112 heavy rainstorms and 22 earthquakes, safely facilitating more than 100,000 journeys.
The China-Laos Railway currently serves 19 countries, including Laos and Thailand, with the range of imported and exported goods expanding from over 500 types to more than 3,000.
The railway has significantly reduced transportation costs along its route. Estimates show that cargo costs from Kunming to Thailand have been reduced by 30 to 50 percent, while, within Laos, costs have decreased by 20 to 40 percent. These reductions have driven industrial upgrades and fostered trade across the region.
As a tangible achievement of the Belt and Road Initiative, the China-Laos Railway exemplifies China’s openness and its willingness to share development opportunities with the world.
Over the past three years, China has sent more than 1,000 railway professionals to Laos, covering a wide range of specialties. They have assisted in the smooth operation of the railway and simultaneously trained Laotian staff, with a total of 1,263 workers gaining qualifications.
(Executive editor: Zhu Zeya)
