STORY: 1 year on, China-Laos Railway sees booming cross-border passenger service 
SHOOTING TIME: April 13, 2024
DATELINE: April 16, 2024
LENGTH: 00:01:18
LOCATION: Vientiane
CATEGORY: ECONOMY

SHOTLIST:
1. various of passengers at Vientiane railway station
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Thai): CHAHWIWAN SAELIO, Thai passenger
3. SOUNDBITE 2  (Lao): SINHNOY PHOMMAVICHIT, Lao passenger
4. various of the China-Laos Railway

STORYLINE:

One year ago, the cross-border passenger service on the China-Laos Railway was launched, contributing to socio-economic development in Laos, boosting regional connectivity, as well as providing stable dynamics for economic cooperation between Laos and China.

The China-Laos Railway started cross-border passenger service on April 13, 2023. Since then, the railway has become the preferred mode of transport for a growing number of international travelers due to its affordability, convenience and comfort.

So far, the China-Laos Railway has handled 110,962 cross-border passenger trips, including 55,532 inbound passengers and 55,430 outbound passengers, according to data released by the Laos-China Railway Co., Ltd. (LCRC) on Saturday.

The China-Laos Railway, linking the Lao capital Vientiane with Kunming, the capital of southwest China's Yunnan Province, has brought great benefits to the Lao people and opened up a new path for Laos' development and prosperity.

Meanwhile, the number of Chinese tourists visiting Laos has increased significantly after the opening of the China-Laos Railway's international passenger service a year ago.

In 2023, the number of Chinese visitors increased to 641,314 from about 45,000 in 2022. Laos welcomed more than 242,000 Chinese tourists in the first three months of 2024.

Chinese and Lao railway authorities on Saturday launched one more pair of trains for the China-Laos Railway's international passenger service. The pair of trains run between Xishuangbanna of China and Luang Prabang of Laos, two popular tourist destinations.

SOUNDBITE 1 (Thai): CHAHWIWAN SAELIO, Thai passenger
"This is my first time taking the cross-border train. My family and I are going to Xishuangbanna for a vacation. We chose to travel by train because we think it's comfortable and fast. And we also can enjoy beautiful scenery during the ride."

SOUNDBITE 2 (Lao): SINHNOY PHOMMAVICHIT, Lao passenger
"I am delighted that the China-Laos Railway opened its cross-border passenger service. I think it has become a game changer for Laos, boosting tourism and providing smooth transport of goods and passengers."

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

The railway contributes to achieving Laos' goal of converting itself from a landlocked country to a land-linked hub.

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Vientiane.
(XHTV)