China-Laos Railway starts cross-border passenger services

The China-Laos Railway has begun offering cross-border passenger services, connecting Kunming in China’s Yunnan Province to the Lao capital of Vientiane. The railway, which started operating in December 2021, is expected to boost regional connectivity under the Belt and Road Initiative. The Lao government hopes that the cross-border passenger service will help to transform the country into a regional or even global hub, as well as significantly benefit Laos’s economic development. The railway is also anticipated to increase the number of Chinese tourists visiting Laos in 2023, generating over $340 million for the country’s economy. The China-Laos Railway is part of the trans-Asian railway network and will play a crucial role in connecting Laos with China and other ASEAN members.