Passenger volume almost doubles on Laos-China Railway

The average number of passengers travelling on Laos-China Railway each day has reached 29,000, almost double that of the same period in 2022, according to a Chinese media report.
Since the start of 2023, the 1,035-km railway, which connects the Lao capital Vientiane to Kunming - the capital of Yunnan province in China - has seen a growing momentum in passenger volume, Xinhua reported.

Stewardesses wait for passengers beside a Lane Xang EMU train at Vientiane station on the China-Laos Railway in Laos on May 24, 2022.       --Photo Xinhua

Since its inauguration in December 2021, the railway has handled over 9 million passengers and 12 million tonnes of cargo, it added, citing a report given at the ongoing annual session of Yunnan province’s people’s congress.
The railway, which is part of the Belt and Road Initiative, is expected to handle more than 10 million passenger trips and 13 million tonnes of cargo in 2023.
The surge in passenger traffic comes amid the lifting of Covid travel restrictions in China, with the government now opening its borders to allow people to leave and enter the country.
On January 8, China opened the border gate with Laos at the Boten-Mohan international border crossing between Luang Namtha and Yunnan provinces.
On the first two days (Sunday and Monday), more than 1,200 people passed through the Laos-China border.
Of the total, more than 400 people, mostly Chinese nationals, entered Laos, while more than 800 people, mostly Chinese business operators and workers, returned home including for the Chinese Lunar New Year holiday, which takes place from January 21-27.
People who hold business, visit, study, diplomatic, official and other types of visa can now cross the border, although tourist visas are not yet accepted.
Lao authorities expect that tourist visas will be accepted at this border crossing after Chinese New Year.
Authorities anticipate that more Chinese will travel to Laos after the new year holiday, also known as the Spring Festival.

By Times Reporters
 (Latest Update January 13, 2023)