ON THE RAILS

China-Laos Railway blazes a path to prosperity

On December 3， 2021， Chinese President Xi Jinping， also general secretary of the Communist Party of China （CPC） Central Committee， joined General Secretary of the Lao Peoples Revolutionary Party （LPRP） Central Committeeand Lao President ThonglounSisoulithto celebrate the opening of the China-Laos Railway via video link.

The China-Laos Railway stretches 1，035 kilometers south from the southern Chinese city of Kunming to Vientiane in Laos. Construction began in December 2016 and was completed this December. A landmark project symbolizingfriendship between China and Laos， two countries that celebrate the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations this year， the railway is a road of connectivity as well as a road of friendship. It embodies the spirit of the China-Laoscommunity of shared future.

Admirable figures and inspiring stories abounded during construction of the project. All workers involved， both Chinese and Laotian， joined hands to overcome various challenges presented by adverse natural conditions andbuild the railway with the highest standards and quality. They demonstrated the power of unity and collaborationbetween two peoples both seeking a better life.