As of September 30, 2023, there had been nearly 6,800 international freight trains in operation nationwide, with a cross-border freight volume exceeding 5.55 million tons. The number and freight volume of international freight trains in Yunnan Province accounted for over 70% and 90%, respectively, of the country's total. Specifically, Yunnan Province operated 2,730 international freight trains from January to September this year, showing a year-on-year increase of 60.10%, and the freight volume amounted to 3.0462 million tons, showing a year-on-year increase of 147.41%. The variety of goods had expanded from over 100 categories, such as fertilizers and general merchandise, to over 1,700 varieties in 35 major categories, such as electronics, photovoltaics, fresh fruits, and vegetables. The total value of goods exceeded 19 billion yuan. The opening of the China-Laos Railway made significant contributions to promoting regional connectivity, economic development along the route, and the improvement of the living standards of people along the route. The China-Laos Railway has become a crucial bridge for China's economic and trade cooperation with South Asia and Southeast Asia.

Paving a new way for regional connectivity.

Compared to traditional road transportation, the China-Laos Railway is more convenient and efficient. The "Lancang-Mekong Express" freight train departing from Kunming takes only 26 hours for the whole journey, saving 2-3 days in transportation time from Kunming to Vientiane and reducing costs by 20%. Particularly noteworthy is the recent opening of international trains such as the "Shanghai-Yunnan Lancang-Mekong Line" and the China-Laos cold chain special train, which have significantly enhanced regional connectivity, unimpeded the major artery of the economic and trade cooperation between China and Southeast Asian countries from land.

Creating a new carrier for smooth domestic and international circulation.

Up to now, 25 provinces (districts, cities) across the country have engaged in international freight transportation business relying on the China-Laos Railway. The trade network extends to more than 10 countries and regions, including Laos, Thailand, Myanmar, Vietnam, and Malaysia. While the China-Laos Railway continuously delivers high-quality "Made in China" goods to ASEAN countries, tropical fruits such as durians and mangosteens from Laos and Thailand have gained easier access to the Chinese market. Since the designated inspection site for imported fruits at the Mohan railway port was put into use in December last year, the daily average operation of the China-Laos-Thailand international multimodal fruit cold chain train has achieved 1-2 trains, driving trade complementarity. The import volume of fruits has reached 72,800 tons so far, with a value exceeding 1.8 billion yuan.

Injecting new vitality into regional economic and trade cooperation. 

The China-Laos Railway provides an efficient and convenient logistics channel for cross-border goods, effectively promoting trade and international economic cooperation along the route. Despite the overall decline in foreign trade in Yunnan province, Yunnan's trade volume with Laos has shown a counter-trend growth, reaching 9.34 billion yuan from January to September, a year-on-year increase of 14.7%. By the end of September, 131 companies from Yunnan Province had signed contracts to enter Laos Vientiane Saysettha Development Zone, with a total investment of 1.03 billion US dollars, driving domestic export of goods worth 479 million US dollars.

Providing new support for improving people's well-being. 

The opening of the China-Laos Railway has created more than 10,000 employment opportunities in various industries such as logistics, transportation, commerce, and tourism, recruiting over 3,500 Laotian employees. In particular, the Kunming-Vientiane international passenger train officially operates on April 13 this year, taking only a day for passengers to experience the exotic charm by taking the train, significantly promoting the development of the tourism economy along the route. As of October 25, there have been 392 runs of the China-Laos Railway international passenger train, carrying nearly 76,000 cross-border passengers. We have also witnessed an increasing number of young people from mountainous areas in Laos stepping out into the world through the railway and embracing broader opportunities.

In a word, since the opening of the China-Laos Railway, it has demonstrated a flourishing development in both passenger and cargo transportation, promoted regional economic and trade cooperation, and benefited people along the route. The effect of this "Golden Route" corridor has been fully manifested.

Next, the Yunnan Provincial Department of Commerce will leverage the China-Laos Railway to strengthen Yunnan's cross-border trade and logistics, actively expand economic and trade cooperation with the Indochina Peninsula, and promote the construction of international logistics corridors of China-Vietnam and China-Myanmar. It will continue to make progress in establishing Yunnan as a radiating center towards South Asia and Southeast Asia and contribute to the high-quality development of the Belt and Road Initiative.

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(Editors: Lexi, Ines)