Lao Deputy Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone and leaders of government departments inspected the construction site of the Wanrong section of the China-Laos railway on April 29. He expressed his appreciation for the project's progress.
The Lao Deputy PM was briefed by the project leader on environmental protection and construction progress of the project.
He pointed out that the China-Laos railway is a strategic cooperation project between the two countries. It will become a strong driving force for economic development in Laos. In particular, the Wanrong section under construction will attract more tourists from China and other countries. It will simplify the travel mode for tourists and inject new vitality into local economic development.
During the inspection, he was happy to see that many Laotian workers are responsible for technical work at the construction site. The project has played a major role in driving local employment and cultivating the skills of Laotian workers, which enhances friendship between the peoples of Laos and China.
The China-Laos railway was jointly invested by China and Laos. It starts at the China-Laos border port of Boten in the north and connects the newly built Yuxi-Mohan railway. It passes through the provinces of Namtha, Oudomxay, Luang Prabang and Vientiane in the south and ends in the Lao capital of Vientiane.
The railway has a total length of 414.33 kilometers and 31 stations. The operating speed on the route is designed to be 160 km per hour. POWERCHINA has undertaken part of the project, with a total contract value of 5.875 billion yuan ($927.3 million).
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Lao Deputy Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone (center) inspects the China-Laos railway on April 29. [Photo/powerchina] |
