Lao leader gives high praise to China-Laos Railway

VIENTIANE－General Secretary of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party Central Committee and Lao President Thongloun Sisoulith spoke highly of the China-Laos Railway during his recent visit via the Lane Xang electric multiple unit (EMU) train and his inspection of the railway's operation.

Thongloun, who led a government delegation, took the train traveling from the capital Vientiane to the town of Boten bordering China on Monday, before returning to Vientiane from Luang Prabang on Wednesday.

Thongloun said he had a comfortable and safe trip onboard the Lane Xang EMU, and expressed satisfaction with the progress achieved in the operation of the China-Laos Railway since its inauguration in December.

The Lao president also said that the railway's operation facilitates people-to-people exchanges between the two countries, and that the Lao people feel proud of the railway.

He expressed hope that the Lao people can all experience train travel and truly get to know the significance of joint implementation of the Belt and Road Initiative, according to Laos-China Railway company.

Thongloun also quoted a Lao proverb as saying that "where there is a road, there is an opportunity for development", reiterating the important role of the China-Laos Railway in promoting development of the Southeast Asian country.

As of Feb 5, the Lao section of the China-Laos Railway had run a total of 116 pairs of passenger trains, transporting 108,770 passengers, an average of 1,699 passengers per day, in addition to 124.5 pairs of freight trains, shipping 133,191 tons of goods, an average of 2,081 tons per day.

Xinhua