On the morning of April 8th, a press conference for the "Report on the development of the China-Laos Railway" was held in the Kunming Area of China (Yunnan) Pilot Free Trade Zone. The report was completed on the second anniversary of the opening of the China-Laos Railway and is the first domestic think tank report on the study of the China-Laos Railway.

To strengthen the analysis and research on the comprehensive development and utilization of the China-Laos Railway, the University of International Business and Economics, Kunming University, and the Management Committee of the Kunming Area of China (Yunnan) Pilot Free Trade Zone (Kunming Economic and Technological Development Zone) actively explored a new "government-industry-university-research-application" model and jointly produced the "Report on the development of the China-Laos Railway 2023". The report focuses on the background, effects, risks, and innovations of the China-Laos Railway construction, forming the main report of "Development Effects and Future Prospects of the China-Laos Railway", as well as main research findings and suggestions on economic and trade cooperation, regional development, social culture, explorations and practice.

The "Report on the development of the China-Laos Railway 2023" regards the China-Laos Railway as a fruitful achievement in the construction of the China-Laos community with a shared future. It is also an important part of building a new development pattern between China and Southeast Asia under the trade rules of RCEP, and a profound practice of the Belt and Road initiative. The China-Laos Railway opens a path through the hinterland of the Indochina Peninsula, radiating to Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia and other countries, leading to prosperity and wealth. It facilitates cross-border trade by reducing costs and increasing efficiency, further promotes Yunnan’s high-level opening-up, effectively advances the economic and social coordinated development between China and the countries of the Indochina Peninsula, and enhances the competitiveness and international influence of the cultural and tourism industries of China and Laos. It is a model of China sharing development opportunities with the world in a more open manner. The report also suggests promoting development through cooperation in trade, tourism, culture and technology, including optimizing the trade and investment structure to Laos, strengthening cultural exchanges and cooperation, introducing intelligent technological empowerment, and advancing the innovation of models and systems, injecting vibrant new energy into the China-Laos Railway.

It is introduced that Wangjiaying Central Station in Kunming Economic and Technological Development Zone and Mohan Railway Station respectively serve as the starting and ending points of the domestic section of the China-Laos Railway, connecting the Kunming Economic and Technological Development Zone, the Kunming Area of China (Yunnan) Pilot Free Trade Zone, the Kunming Comprehensive Bonded Zone and the Mohan-Boten Cooperation Zone in space, to establish a "one line, two centers" highly effective linkage development pattern and fully expands the space for undertaking industrial transfer and the cultivation and development of industrial chain. In the past two years, the "Shanghai-Yunnan Lancang-Mekong Line" international freight train has opened, the "China-Europe+Lancang-Mekong Line" and "Hunan-Yunnan Lancang-Mekong Line" international freight trains made their first departures from Mohan. As of March 2024, the China-Laos Railway has cumulatively transported 30.3 million passengers and 35 million tons of goods. The comprehensive development along the route has achieved remarkable results, promoting both a breakthrough in Yunnan's opening-up system and the great development of industrial parks along the railway, highlighting the China-Laos Railway’s role as the international golden corridor.

During the conference, a Xingdian Educational Cooperation Symposium was also held, with experts from government, universities, and enterprises engaging in in-depth discussions and exchanges on the China-Laos Railway's economic and trade cooperation, regional development, social culture and practical cases. All parties expressed that they will actively integrate into the national development strategy, continuously deepen southward cooperation, focus on promoting industry-education integration, and build the "great golden corridor" of the China-Laos Railway. They are committed to supporting the construction of the China-Laos Railway and to injecting new momentum into the construction of a radiation center facing South and Southeast Asia.

Click here to view Chinese report

(Editors: Lexi, Amy)