China-Laos Ties: Cross-border railway strengthens economic and cultural exchanges
Chinese Premier Li Qiang has started his visit to Laos for a series of ASEAN-related meetings and an official visit. In recent years, cooperation between the two neighbors has grown significantly, with the China-Laos Railway seen as a key driver. CGTN's Yang Jinghao reports from the border region, taking a look at the potential for further cooperation between the two nations and the wider ASEAN community.
A three-on-three basketball competition in Mohan in southwest China's Yunnan Province, right across from the border town of Boten in Laos.
The event, held during the just-finished National Day holiday, attracted players from over 10 countries and regions, including Laos.
ALONGKONE PHENGSAVANH Secretary General, Basketball Federation of Laos "This event is fantastic. It not only promotes border exchanges between Laos and China but also showcases teams and cultures from different countries. We hope this competition can be held annually, and Laos will do its best to send its top teams to participate."
Notably, some participants arrived in Mohan from Vientiane via the China-Laos Railway, operational since late 2021.
YANIS KARI Member of French Team "I had never taken a train with a bed before. I traveled for five hours, but I was comfortable. It was my first time taking such a long train ride, and I really enjoyed the journey."
YANG JINGHAO Mohan, Yunnan Province "It's clear that the cross-border railway has significantly boosted people-to-people exchanges between China, Laos and beyond. As trade volumes along the route continue to grow, Mohan is stepping up its efforts to transform from a quiet border town into a thriving hub for emerging industries."
Data from the railway operator shows that so far, the railway had transported more than 10 million tonnes of goods through its international freight service. The number of daily freight trains has increased from just two at launch, to 17 today.
Mohan is capitalizing on this growth, aiming to evolve into an international port city.
As a major step towards this goal, an industrial cooperation center officially opened here in early October, which has attracted prominent Chinese companies like Huawei and GREE, as well as businesses from neighboring countries.
LUO FENG President, Mohan Development and Investment Group "Our approach combines 'going global' with 'bringing in'. This strategy enables us to enhance and complement the entire industrial chain. By the end of the year, we plan to start construction of a new project in the Saysettha Development Zone in Vientiane."
China and ASEAN are each other's largest trading partners, and there is still potential for even further growth.
DR. KAO KIM HOURN Secretary General of ASEAN "We expect both for the upgrade of the ASEAN-China FTA to 3. 0, plus the moving forward on the RCEP, I think it's gonna bring new dynamics into the trade relation to ASEAN and China."
Experts say that as China's key gateway to ASEAN, Mohan is set to play a more active role in enhancing regional connectivity as its development continues to accelerate.
Yang Jinghao, CGTN, on the China-Laos border.
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