On October 8th, around 9:30 am, the inaugural "Shanghai-Yunnan Lancang-Mekong Line" international freight train departed from the Wangjiaying West Container Center Station in Kunming. Loaded with 36 cars of Southeast Asian specialties like fruits, rubber, and Yunnan local products such as sugar and silicon metal, this train was set to arrive in Shanghai after an 82-hour journey.

At the departure ceremony, the train, proudly displaying the emblem of the "Shanghai-Yunnan Lancang-Mekong Line" international freight service, stood poised on the tracks. Upon receiving the signal, the train slowly pulled out of the station, heading east towards Shanghai. Meanwhile, the LED screens in the background showcased the departure scenes of trains from Shanghai's Luchao Port and Vientiane South Station in Laos.

It is known that the return trip of the first "Shanghai-Yunnan Lancang-Mekong Line" international freight train (Vientiane South-Kunming Wangjiaying West-Shanghai) departed from Vientiane South in Laos at 3:00 am on October 6th, carrying Southeast Asian specialty goods. After a 26-hour journey, it arrived at Kunming Wangjiaying West Station. On the same day, the "Shanghai-Yunnan Lancang-Mekong Line" international freight train (outbound) departed from Shanghai's Luchao Port Container Center Station in the Pilot Free Trade Zone. The train, carrying 26 cars of agricultural machinery and appliances, departed from Luchao Port station. This train will travel from Kunming, Yunnan, and head to Vientiane South Station in Laos, covering a distance of 3,756 kilometers, with an estimated travel time of 4 to 5 days.

Shanghai, a leading engine of China's economy, is the first pilot free trade zone in our country. As a part of the economically prosperous Yangtze River Delta City Cluster, Shanghai boasts developed transportation networks and stands as a region with the most comprehensive industrial system and complete industrial chain in China.

Yunnan has clear location advantages as it builds a center that extends towards South Asia and Southeast Asia. It serves as a dynamic gateway for the golden channel, transforming from the periphery of openness to the forefront.

Cooperating together, complementing strengths. The "Shanghai-Yunnan Lancang-Mekong Line" international freight train is the first jointly operated international train launched by Yunnan Province and Shanghai Municipality. It is a significant initiative that showcases the coordinated effort between Shanghai and Yunnan to achieve East-West cooperation and dual circulation at both domestic and international levels. Opening the "Shanghai-Yunnan Lancang-Mekong Line" not only sets a new benchmark and model for Shanghai-Yunnan cooperation, but also promotes deep integration of supply chains and industrial chains, an active role in facilitating a positive interaction between the industrial chain and value chain.

Connecting East and West, reaching out to the world. This cooperative "artery" established by Shanghai and Yunnan will better connect the domestic market in China with the markets in South Asia and Southeast Asia. It will effectively stimulate the vitality along the route, accelerate the integration of industrial chains, supply chains, financial chains, and talent chains, and explore a new path for regional synergistic development.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the launch of the Belt and Road Initiative. Yunnan, as an important part of the southern Silk Road of the Belt and Road Initiative, has always upheld the spirit of openness, cooperation, and inclusiveness. It has accelerated the construction of a center towards South Asia and Southeast Asia and remained steadfast in promoting the high-quality development of the Belt and Road Initiative.

As a landmark project of the Belt and Road Initiative, the China-Laos Railway has been in operation since December 3rd, 2021. So far, 25 provinces (municipalities, autonomous regions) in China have operated cross-border freight trains on the China-Laos Railway. As of October 3rd this year, more than 26.8 million tons of goods have been transported, with the number of goods categories exceeding 2,700. The transportation of goods covers 12 Belt and Road Initiative participating countries, including Laos, Thailand, Vietnam, and Myanmar. The China-Laos Railway has become an international logistics golden channel that connects inland and overseas, radiates the surrounding areas, facilitates two-way mutual assistance, and ensures safety and efficiency.

With the corridor driving logistics, logistics driving trade, and trade driving industry, the "Shanghai-Yunnan Lancang-Mekong Line" international freight train effectively integrates the Belt and Road Initiative with the development strategy of the Yangtze River Economic Belt. Serving as a vital "artery" of openness and integration, it will not only establish a new logistics channel between China's eastern coastal areas and countries in South Asia and Southeast Asia, but also fully leverage its role in cross-regional resource allocation. It will empower the "Shanghai enterprises + Yunnan resources," "Shanghai R&D + Yunnan manufacturing," "Shanghai market + Yunnan products," and "Shanghai headquarters + Yunnan bases" in a two-way manner, exploring a new path for regional synergistic development.

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(Editors: Amy, Rachel)