The role of China Laos railway as the international golden channel is increasingly prominent

As of March 12, the China Laos Railway had sent 30.2 million passengers and 34.24 million tons of goods, including more than 7.8 million tons of cross-border goods, showing a booming trend of both passengers and goods. The role of the international golden channel is increasingly prominent, injecting new vitality into the economic and social development along the route.

The person in charge of the International Department of China National Railway Group Co., Ltd. introduced that since the opening and operation of the China Laos Railway, it has adhered to high standards, sustainability and benefits the people's livelihood, strengthened cooperation with the Laos railway department, effectively operated and managed the China Laos Railway, achieved a strong growth in passenger volume and freight volume, continued to improve the quality of transport services, and continuously enhanced the radiation driving effect.

The passenger transportation volume and quality have both increased. The Fuxing and Lancang high-speed trains are safe, efficient, convenient, and comfortable, and are favored by the people along the line. The railway departments of China and Laos have strengthened the passenger transport organization, optimized the train operation plan, and increased the supply of transport capacity. The passenger traffic volume of China Laos railway has continued to grow. The average daily passenger trains in China section have increased from 35 at the initial stage of operation to 51 at present, and the daily passenger traffic volume has increased from 20000 person times to the maximum of 103000 person times. The daily average number of passenger trains operating in Laos has increased from 4 to 12, and the number of regular speed passenger trains has been expanded to more than 10. The daily passenger volume has increased from 720 to a maximum of 12808. On March 15, 2023, the China Laos Railway will enable the Internet mobile APP ticketing system to realize online ticketing, support WeChat, Alipay, UnionPay, VISA, Onepay and other payment methods, and greatly improve the passenger ticket buying experience. On April 13, 2023, the China Laos Railway will run the first international passenger train between Kunming and Vientiane, realizing the daily access of Kunming and Vientiane. It has sent 155000 cross-border passengers from 87 countries and regions, and recently added two stops in Yuxi, China, and Mongsai, Laos, to further facilitate personnel exchanges between the two countries.

Strong growth in cross-border goods transportation. Strengthen communication with the customs and border inspection departments of China and Laos, complete the upgrading and expansion of the Mohan Railway Port, make good use of the Vientiane South transshipment station, strengthen cross-border cargo transportation organization, actively promote rapid customs clearance, improve transportation capacity and clearance efficiency, effectively compress the entire logistics cost, and focus on building a golden logistics channel between China and ASEAN, The number of cross-border freight trains operated by the China Laos Railway on a single day has increased from two at the beginning of its operation to 20 at the current peak. From January 1 to March 12 this year, the China Laos Railway completed 1.064 million tons of cross-border freight traffic, up 33.9% year on year. On January 10, 2022, the China Laos Railway "Lancang Mekong Express Line" international freight trains will be operated for the first time at fixed points, at fixed times, on fixed routes and with fixed train times. Up to now, 972 trains have been operated in total, and the cross-border freight transport efficiency is constantly improving. Actively explore new international transportation modes such as "China Laos Railway+China Europe Train", and shorten the direct railway transportation time from Laos, Thailand and other countries to Europe to 15 days. To meet the transportation needs of Laotian customers for "zero, scattered, and small" goods, express delivery services have been launched for the first time since February 20th this year through the Vientiane to Boten ordinary speed passenger train, and "same day delivery" has been achieved. A total of 15173 express goods have been sent.

The radiation effect of economic and trade development is prominent. The China Laos Railway has accelerated the flow of people, logistics, capital and information along the line, promoted the surrounding development of key stations such as Vientiane and Luang Prabang, promoted the development of logistics, commerce, tourism and other industries, and increased a large number of jobs. The cross-border goods category of the China Laos Railway has expanded from more than 10 kinds of rubber, fertilizer, department stores, etc. at the initial stage of opening to more than 2900 kinds of electronics, photovoltaic, communications, automobiles, etc. The freight transport has spread to 12 countries jointly building the "the Belt and Road", such as Laos, Thailand, Vietnam, Myanmar, and the main cities of 31 provinces, autonomous regions and cities in China. The logistics cost between Vientiane and Kunming has decreased by about 40% to 50% compared with that before the opening of the China Laos Railway, effectively driving the Vientiane Saytha Comprehensive Development Zone The development of economic parks such as the Modin Special Economic Zone has led to a significant increase in the production of iron ore, cassava flour, rubber, and other products in Laos, promoting the expansion and upgrading of various industries along the route and international economic and trade exchanges.

The person in charge said that the State Railway Group will strengthen cooperation with the Laos railway department, play the role of the China Laos railway as the "golden channel", and improve the passenger and freight transport capacity and service quality.