China-Laos Railway records 25,000 cross-border passenger trips

A passenger train bound for the Lao capital Vientiane awaits departure from Kunming South Railway Station in Kunming, southwest China's Yunnan Province, April 13, 2023. (Xinhua/Xing Guangli)

KUNMING, June 13 (Xinhua) -- The China-Laos Railway has handled 25,000 cross-border passenger trips since the launch of its passenger services on April 13, according to the Mohan entry-exit border checkpoint.

During the period, the Chinese border town of Mohan in the country's southwestern Yunnan Province logged 14,156 inbound passenger trips and 11,752 outbound trips.

"We are very happy to travel on the international passenger train operated by the China-Laos Railway, which is comfortable and convenient," said Michael and Alysha Dragoo, a couple from the United States. "We can take the train to many places in Yunnan and to Laos as well. It's really great."

"After the China-Laos Railway launched the international passenger train service, many Lao enterprises are willing to do business in China. My friends and I go to China this time to investigate the longan market," said Phoumy Sisaivong, a tourist from Laos.

The China-Laos Railway, a landmark project of high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, began operations in December 2021. The 1,035-km railway connects China's Kunming with Vientiane in Laos.