Lao and Chinese journalists pose for a photo in front of Vientiane Railway Station during a media tour highlighting the benefits of the Laos-China Railway.

Media tour shines spotlight on benefits of Laos-China railway 

The Laos-China Railway boosts jobs, tourism, and economic growth, with these valuable contributions to development highlighted at the closing ceremony of a Laos-China media tour on April 18.
he Laos-China Railway Company Limited hosted the closing ceremony in Vientiane at the end of the “Sharing Stories of the Laos-China Railway” programme, which took the theme “Building a golden route to serve the peoples of Laos and China”.
The event brought together representatives from the China State Railway Group, the Yunnan Provincial Publicity Committee, the Chinese Embassy in Laos, the Department of Mass Media, the Chinese Chamber of Commerce in Laos, the Railway Vocational and Technical College, and Lao and Chinese media personnel.

Director General of the Laos-China Railway Company Limited, Mr Lu Haizhou.	Director General of the Department of Mass Media under the Commission for Information and Education of the Central Committee (CIECC), Mr Somsavath Phongsa.	A reporter from the People’s Railway Daily, Ms Zhou Qiong.

During the programme, the company took journalists from Chinese and Lao news agencies on a reporting and photography tour along the railway corridor. The group visited Luang Prabang province and Vientiane.
The media tour marked the third anniversary of cross-border rail services and the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Laos and China.
Director General of the Department of Mass Media under the Commission for Information and Education of the Central Committee, Mr Somsavath Phongsa, said the programme gave Lao and Chinese reporters a chance to work together and share clear and factual reports.
Reporters learnt about the many benefits generated by the railway, including the creation of jobs for Lao nationals, the increase in tourist arrivals, and stronger economic links. This, in turn, will enable the public to gain a deeper insight into the vital role played by the railway, he said.
Mr Somsavath said Lao and Chinese media agencies have worked closely over the years, including through agreements made under the Belt and Road Initiative, and have shared in efforts to counter false information that could harm relations between the two countries.
Journalists in both countries also support the Laos-China Shared Destiny Partnership Master Plan and play a key role in promoting tourism.
Mr Somsavath called on all media organisations and partners to continue sharing information to publicise the railway’s achievements.
Director General of the Laos-China Railway Company Limited, Mr Lu Haizhou, said the railway is a flagship project under China’s Belt and Road Initiative and a symbol of friendship, development and shared prosperity.
Continued efficient operation of the railway is a key objective of the leaders of both countries and supports Laos’ goal of becoming a land-linked nation, he added.
Mr Lu said the company continues to improve safety, operations and management to ensure stable and secure transport services.
During the closing ceremony, representatives from Lao and Chinese media organisations and railway departments shared their impressions of the four-day tour, which took place from April 15 to 18.
A reporter from the People’s Railway Daily, Ms Zhou Qiong, said the Laos-China Railway is a “golden route” driving development.
She said the railway acts like a key, helping Laos to overcome geographic barriers and connect more closely with the region, which opens up new opportunities for growth.
Since the Laos-China Railway opened for service, the "Fuxing" and "Lane Xang" trains have been operating safely, in an environmentally-friendly way, swiftly, and comfortably, significantly reducing travel distances between cities along the railway corridor.
Passenger demand continues to rise. On the Lao section of the railway, the record number of passengers carried on a single day was 10,197, while 2.17 million passengers had been carried in total as of April 9, according to the Laos-China Railway Company.
In China, the record number of passengers carried on a single day was 74,000, while a total of 11.76 million people had used the railway as of April 9.
Meanwhile, the cumulative cross-border freight volume has reached 35.9 million tonnes.

By Phonepaseuth Volakhoun
 (Latest UpdateApril 19, 2026)