STORY: Safeguarding the operation of China-Laos Railway
SHOOTING TIME: Recent footage
DATELINE: Feb. 5, 2025
LENGTH: 00:01:09
LOCATION: MOHAN, Yunnan
CATEGORY: SOCIETY

SHOTLIST:
1. various of a team of inspectors on the China-Laos Railway
2. SOUNDBITE (Chinese): WU XUEFENG, Inspector at the Mohan railway port

STORYLINE:

At the depot of the Mohan railway port, southwest China's Yunnan Province, a team of inspectors is dedicated to ensuring the safe and efficient operation of freight trains on the China-Laos Railway.

Led by Wu Xuefeng, the inspection team is known for their detailed work, completing each train inspection in just 40 minutes.

SOUNDBITE (Chinese): WU XUEFENG, Inspector at the Mohan railway port
"The space under the train is narrow with dim light, so we have to squat, lean in, and use flashlight to better inspect the condition of each component of the train. This is the brake pad of the train, which we call the brake block. It works by creating friction with the wheel to slow down the train. This brake block is indeed quite worn out and needs to be replaced."

Every train undergoes a thorough check, from major components like the body and bogie to smaller parts like bolts and pins.

SOUNDBITE (Chinese): WU XUEFENG, Inspector at the Mohan railway port
"We have kept to our post here at the border. We must do our job well to ensure that our dedication guarantees the safe operation of the China-Laos Railway."

Since its launch in 2021, the China-Laos Railway, a flagship project under the Belt and Road Initiative, has significantly reduced freight times and logistics costs between the two countries, deepening bilateral trade.

By December 2024, the China-Laos Railway had handled over 43 million passenger trips and more than 48.3 million tonnes of cargo, with safe operations.

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