STORY: Young Lao engineer's dream fulfilled thanks to BRI cooperation
DATELINE: June 30, 2023
LENGTH: 00:03:01
LOCATION: Vientiane
CATEGORY: SOCIETY

SHOTLIST:
1. various of Kaifa working in the maintenance center of the Laos-China Railway
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Lao): KAIFA KEOSINGTHONG, Lao engineer
3. SOUNDBITE 2 (Lao): KAIFA KEOSINGTHONG, Lao engineer
4. SOUNDBITE 3 (Lao): KAIFA KEOSINGTHONG, Lao engineer
5. SOUNDBITE 4 (Lao): KAIFA KEOSINGTHONG, Lao engineer

STORYLINE:

At the maintenance center of the Laos-China Railway, engineers are doing their routine work along the rail.

Among them is Kaifa Keosingthong, a 24-year-old Lao engineer.

He spoke with pride when talking about getting his dream work.

SOUNDBITE 1 (Lao): KAIFA KEOSINGTHONG, Lao engineer
"Working here has been my goal since I was a student. And when I had a chance to study in China, I took a course in railway engineering because I have always been interested in engineering. Another reason is that very few people in Laos have graduated from this major."

He said that all the knowledge he had learned has been used in actual work. He also remained thankful to his Chinese colleagues for always patiently teaching him anything he needed to know to do the job.

SOUNDBITE 2 (Lao): KAIFA KEOSINGTHONG, Lao engineer
"My job is a bit difficult, but I always try to understand new information and learn with my Chinese colleagues. And they always find a way to help me understand easily."

The China-Laos Railway, a landmark project showcasing high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, began operation in December 2021.

Since then, the China-Laos Railway has promoted regional connectivity, brought opportunities to enterprises and individuals in both countries and injected strong impetus into economic and social development along the route.

SOUNDBITE 3 (Lao): KAIFA KEOSINGTHONG, Lao engineer
"It can be observed that the areas around the railway stations have been developed, and some people have started their new businesses. The railway makes traveling in Laos more comfortable. It makes me feel happy and so proud when I see villagers riding on the train conveniently."

The China-Laos Railway started cross-border passenger services on April 13. Laos has since turned from a landlocked country to a land-linked hub in the region and beyond, which is the common wish of the Lao people.

SOUNDBITE 4 (Lao): KAIFA KEOSINGTHONG, Lao engineer
"My family and all my relatives are very proud that I have the opportunity to work on a big project like this. And I am also proud of myself for being able to achieve my goal of working in the rail industry. We will do our best to carry out the maintenance work to preserve the China-Laos Railway."

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Vientiane.
(XHTV)