STORY: China-Laos Railway records over 100,000 cross-border passengers
SHOOTING TIME: Dec. 3, 2023/File
DATELINE: Dec. 8, 2023
LENGTH: 0:00:42
LOCATION: KUNMING, China
CATEGORY: SOCIETY/TRANSPORT

SHOTLIST:
1. various of the China-Laos Railway
2. various of the Mohan's entry-exit frontier inspection station
3. SOUNDBITE (Chinese): PHACHOUMPHON THONGM, Lao passenger
4. various of the China-Laos Railway

STORYLINE:

The China-Laos Railway, which launched its international passenger service on April 13, has transported over 100,000 cross-border passengers as of Tuesday, the Mohan border checkpoint has said.

Some 14,900 of those passengers were foreigners, according to Mohan's entry-exit frontier inspection station on the China-Laos border. The Mohan railway port handled 474 passenger trains during the period.

Since the launch of its cross-border passenger service, the railway has become the preferred mode of transport for a growing number of international travelers due to its affordability, convenience and comfort.

SOUNDBITE (Chinese): PHACHOUMPHON THONGM, Lao passenger
"Before the China-Laos Railway opened, it took me two days to travel from Vientiane to Mongla by car. Now, it takes me about 5 hours by train, which is very fast and convenient."

The China-Laos Railway, a landmark project of high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, began operations in December 2021. The 1,035-kilometer railway connects Kunming in China with Vientiane in Laos.

Thanks to streamlined customs clearance procedures, it now takes just nine-and-a-half hours to travel from Kunming to Vientiane by train.

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Kunming, China.
(XHTV)