Kunming joined by Yuxi, Pu'er and the Xishuangbanna Dai autonomous prefecture livestreamed the newly opened China-Laos Railway in robust use.
Yuxi Daily also showcased local scenery, Pu'er Daily introduced Pu'er tea and Yunnan coffee, and Xishuangbanna TV station brought an ethnic cultural and rich biodiversity display. Kunming’s reporters also rode the train to experience the services on the railway.
"The opening of the China-Laos Railway has narrowed the distance between Southeast Asia and China, and further enhances the status and function of Kunming as an international comprehensive transportation hub," Guo Zhihong, deputy secretary-general of Kunming’s government, said in the live broadcast room.
Guo added that the railway will further promote Kunming as a regional international financial center.
The China-Laos Railway also put an end to the history of zero railways in Pu'er and Xishuangbanna.
Zhang Dangqiong, a Southeast Asian research expert at the Yunnan Academy of Social Sciences, said that the railway provides new opportunities for the development of export-oriented economy, cultural tourism, and logistics industries in Xishuangbanna, Pu'er, and Yuxi along the line. This will further optimize high-quality economic and social development in these areas.
Wen Pengyu, a doctoral student at the School of International Relations of Yunnan University, is an international student from Laos. He used to travel between school and his hometown on a 20-hour international bus. He said that after the opening of the China-Laos railway, it is his best ride home.
"The railway is not only convenient and fast, but the service is also very good. I still remember the last time I took the train, I felt that the interior of the train was spacious and comfortable, and the facilities were comprehensive. There were Lao languages on various signs, the carriage attendants who could speak Lao, which made me feel like family," he said. Being the only landlocked country in Southeast Asia with 80 percent of its land area being mountainous, Laos traffic can be extremely difficult.
"Now that the railway is open, the time it takes for me to go home has been shortened by more than half. In addition, the train helps reduce the transportation time and freight for goods," Wen said.
