The China-Laos Railway is not only a key project of China-Laos cooperation, but also a key hub of the regional transport network, which is of great significance to enhance mutually beneficial cooperation between China and Laos, and regional connectivity, Chinese Ambassador to Laos Jiang Zaidong said.

by Zhang Jianhua, Chanthaphaphone Mixayboua

VIENTIANE, Nov. 26 (Xinhua) — The China-Laos Railway is the road of connectivity and the road of friendship as well, and the project cooperation embodies the spirit of the China-Laos community of a shared future, Chinese Ambassador to Laos Jiang Zaidong has said.

Referring to the characteristics of and inspirations from the China-Laos Railway, Ambassador Jiang said in a recent interview with Xinhua that it is a project in which the two sides sincerely cooperate and pursue excellence under the guidance of top leadership, and both sides should strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation.

The construction of the railway started in December 2016. It is expected to be operational in December 2021.

The 1,013-km cross-border railway consists of two sections, one in China and the other in Laos. The 414-km section in Laos will run from Boten border gate in northern part of the country to the Lao national capital city of Vientiane, with an operating speed of 160 km per hour.

Photo taken on Feb. 5, 2021 shows the China-Laos Railway’s Luang Prabang bridge across the Mekong River in northern Laos. (Photo by Pan Longzhu/Xinhua)

Jiang said the project is a major achievement of the docking of the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative and Laos’s development strategy to convert itself from a land-locked country to a land-linked hub.

As a landmark project of China-Laos friendship, the railway carries the aspirations of the two peoples for a better life and demonstrates the strength of solidarity and cooperation between both countries, he said.

The construction of the railway has been receiving strong guidance and promotions from the two countries’ top leadership. The relevant departments and local governments of the two countries have worked closely together to open “fast-track lane” for personnel and “green channel” for goods to ensure smooth construction amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The ambassador noted that due to the complex geological terrain in northern Laos, bridges and tunnels make a significant part of the Lao section.