As of December 2nd, the China-Laos Railway has been in operation for four full years. As a flagship project of China’s B&R Initiative, the railway has not only ended Laos' status as a "landlocked nation" but has also become a "Golden Corridor" driving regional economic integration, facilitating trade, and promoting people-to-people exchanges. Its broad spillover effects have continued to draw strong attention and positive coverage from media outlets around the world.

Foreign media widely agree that the value of the China-Laos Railway goes well beyond the scope of transport infrastructure. It has significantly shortened the travel time and distance between China and Laos, making the movement of people and goods more convenient and efficient. Moreover, with its robust transport capacity and extensive reach, it has injected vigorous momentum into the economic and social development of areas along the route, profoundly reshaping the regional development landscape.

4 Years of Progress, Fruitful Gains:A Highlight-Packed Report Card

To mark the 4th anniversary of the railway's opening, leading Lao media outlets including the Vientiane Times, Laotian Times, and the Khaosan Pathet Lao (News Agency, KPL) published reports on December 3rd and 4th, providing a comprehensive review of its performance over the past four years. They praised the continuously amplifying effects of the "Golden Corridor," injecting new vitality into the development of Laos, China, and even the ASEAN region.

Data show that since its launch, the operational metrics of the China-Laos Railway have achieved leapfrog growth, cumulatively transporting over 62.5 million passengers and moving more than 72.5 million tons of cargo. For passenger transport, the average daily number of trains on the Chinese section increased from an initial 8 to a peak of 86, carrying a cumulative total of 51.34 million passengers. On the Lao section, daily passenger trains rose from 4 to a peak of 18, transporting over 11.24 million passengers cumulatively. Monthly passenger volume soared from 600,000 at the time of opening to a peak of 2.2 million, while daily cross-border passenger flows increased from 300 to a peak of 1,400.

In terms of freight, railway cargo operations have expanded from 2 to 23 daily routes over the past four years. The network has transported over 60,000 cargo trips, delivering goods to 19 countries and regions including Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam. More than 3,800 types of goods are now transported along the railway corridor. Advanced digital cargo stations and streamlined customs procedures have improved efficiency, slashing transit times from 40 hours to just 2 to 5 hours. Transport costs have fallen by 30 to 50 percent, and domestic transport costs in Laos have seen a reduction of 20% to 40%. In a milestone for agricultural exports, Laos shipped its first full train load of 1,000 tons of locally produced cassava starch to China via the LCR on 29 November.

"This impressive achievement has further solidified its role as a key economic and mobility corridor for the region," reported the Vientiane Times. Over the past four years, railway authorities from both countries have strengthened their cooperation, using data-driven analysis to refine passenger flow management, increase operational capacity, and improve scheduling, providing a solid guarantee for the sustained and stable growth in transport volume.

Reshaping the Regional Landscape: Driving Growth in Both Trade and Tourism

The railway's role in stimulating the regional economy has become a core focus for foreign media. Lao National Radio pointed out on December 3rd that the railway not only achieves "smooth transportation" but also upgrades cities along the route from transport nodes to industrial centers. The Vientiane Saysettha Development Zone has attracted a growing number of enterprises by capitalizing on the railway’s logistics advantages, forming four industrial chains in new energy, new materials, healthcare, and biopharmaceuticals. The Mohan-Boten Economic Cooperation Zone has successfully achieved "cross-border industrial coordination" between China and Laos.

In the trade sector, the China-Laos Railway is restructuring regional supply chains. The Dutch "FreshPlaza" reported on June 9th that railway logistics costs have dropped by 60 per cent (compared to traditional overland shipping), while average retail prices for these imported fruits in China have fallen by 30 per cent. This reduction in transport costs has played a major role in improving market access and affordability.

Xu Liping, director of the Center for Southeast Asian Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, noted that infrastructure projects such as the China-Laos Railway are reshaping regional trade dynamics by improving supply chain efficiency and shortening delivery times for perishable goods like fruits and vegetables.

VnExpress reported on September 9th that the China-Laos Railway has become a key logistics link between China and ASEAN. Through the Lancang-Mekong Express, goods can be delivered from Vientiane, Laos, to Kunming in just 26 hours, far more efficient than traditional transportation.

On January 3rd of this year, 24 tons of cooked frozen shrimp from Songkhla Province, Thailand, were successfully exported to China via the "Lancang-Mekong Express" international freight train on the China-Laos Railway, marking the official launch of pilot transport for chilled and frozen aquatic products. Thailand's The Nation reported on this. Bancha Sukkaew, The department’s director-general stated: "This export though the Mohan railway checkpoint is a good example of transportation between Thailand and China, which facilitates the opening of markets for frozen fishery products to multiple cities in China."

Citing data on November 25th, the Vietnam News Agency reported that in the first 10 months of 2025, the bilateral trade reached 862.7 billion USD, up 8.2% year-on-year. Experts noted that the railway plays an irreplaceable role in promoting connectivity between China and ASEAN.

"The opening of the China-Laos Railway has not only ignited new interest in rail tourism within ASEAN but also boosted tourism development in Southeast Asia," reported Singapore's 8world News on June 12th. As the only landlocked country in Southeast Asia, Laos has reaped substantial benefits, with tourist arrivals increasing by over 30% in 2024 to reach 4 million. Experts believe this marks the beginning of a new era for railway travel in ASEAN.

Singapore Asia Travel Weekly reported on February 5th that the success of the Laos-China high-speed rail link has bolstered enthusiasm for a pan-ASEAN rail service. This railway not only enhances regional connectivity but has also boosted tourism, particularly in Xishuangbanna, China, and Luang Prabang, Laos, which have seen increased visitor numbers.

Laurent Kuenzle, CEO of Asian Trails, describes the Laos-Kunming service as “a major leap forward in cross-border train travel in Asia,” he says,“Passengers can explore lesser-seen destinations and experience slow travel while enjoying scenic rural landscapes.” Having personally taken the journey, Kuenzle highlights the modern, punctual, and impeccably clean trains, as well as the airport-style stations equipped with cafés and convenience stores.

"The small Lao town of Luang Prabang has been one of the biggest winners in the success of the China-Laos Railway," reported Singapore Asia Travel Weekly on May 5th. In 2024, Luang Prabang saw a total of 2.3 million tourists, exceeding its original target of 900,000 with the top 10 source markets being China, South Korea, US, Thailand, and several other countries, with its international tourism influence continuously rising.

Improving People's Livelihoods: Delivering a "Benefit-the-People" Report Card

The "golden benefits" of the China-Laos Railway is even more evident in the improvement of livelihoods and social development. Lao National Radio stated that over the past 4 years, the railway has created over 100,000 direct and indirect jobs in Laos and,through a model combining Chinese technology with Lao management, trained thousands of Lao technical personnel.

"The China-Laos Railway is transforming Laos by boosting trade, improving transport efficiency, and expanding market access, driving national economic growth while enhancing the everyday livelihoods of its people," reported Malaysia's The Borneo Post on September 13th, citing the personal experiences of several Lao citizens to illustrate the railway's impact.

Saiynoy, a fruit vendor and farmer said improvements in transportation have increased farmers’ incomes, encouraged higher production, and inspired more people to return to farming, while also creating more jobs for local communities. The railway has helped to stimulate local economies and strengthen communities along the route.

For Phouphet, an office worker who frequently travels for business, the railway has been a game-changer. “My job requires frequent travel to provinces across Laos, especially to Luang Prabang. Before the railway, the journey could take 6 to 12 hours,” Phouphet noted that the reduced travel time not only makes work easier but also help promote tourism in northern Laos.

For Pao, a 32-year-old worker, the railway is also a powerful It’s a symbol of progress: the railway has brought significant benefits to the country—opening doors to international trade, foreign investment, and tourism, while raising Laos’ profile as a more connected and accessible nation.

“Alongside its role in driving economic growth, the China-Laos Railway is bringing people closer and improving community infrastructure,” Somhak, residents of Vientiane, highlighted how the railway has made family visits easier, especially during special occasions or emergencies. Somhak also said that the railway has led to broader improvements beyond transportation. If managed well, the railway and its surrounding development could bring lasting benefits to the country.

A report by the UK Daily Express on September 21st more vividly illustrated this transformation. The article stated that a revolutionary train route has officially opened, bringing an end to decades of travel hardship in one country, “Before, tourists and locals alike were frequently packed into stuffy minibuses for hours on end, lurching over potholed roads. This route has become a “golden corridor” for cultural exchanges and booming trade between China and Thailand.

Weaving a stronger Connectivity Network: Ushering in a New Chapter in Regional Integration

Foreign media remain broadly optimistic about the future of the China–Laos Railway. The World Bank predicts that by 2030, transit trade volume through Laos could reach 3.9 million tons, a significant increase from 1.6 million tons in 2016, indicating the continuous release of regional trade potential. Currently, the maximum speed for trains on the Lao section is 160 km/h, and it is expected that cross-border rail transport speeds will further increase by 2030.

Lao National Radio believes that the China-Laos Railway has transcended its role as a mere "transport corridor," becoming an engine driving industrial development, a bond improving people's livelihoods, and a bridge for regional cooperation. Looking ahead, the railway will continue to expand into neighboring regions, extending to Thailand and Malaysia, positioning Laos as a hub in the Asian regional railway network. Simultaneously, it will connect to broader markets, driving deeper regional economic integration, with the "Golden Corridor" effect continuing to be prominent.

The UK Daily Express also believes that with the continuous deepening of regional connectivity, this "Golden Corridor" will continue to inject lasting momentum into the prosperous development of China, Laos, and the ASEAN region.

"Furthermore, the railway’s role in fostering deeper economic integration with neighboring countries is paving the way for more investments, partnerships, and joint ventures across the region," reported the "Travel and Tour World" website on September 24th. The Laos-China Railway’s potential continues to grow. Efforts are underway to further enhance the capacity of the railway, including plans for expanding services and improving infrastructure. There are also ongoing initiatives to modernize logistics systems, making cross-border trade even more efficient. The strategic vision for the railway is to continue developing Laos as a regional transportation hub, connecting it more efficiently with both Southeast Asia and Europe. Plans are in place to further integrate the railway into the broader Belt and Road Initiative, allowing for smoother trade between China, Laos, and international markets.

On 2 December, Laos and Thailand opened a freight train route connecting Thanaleng Dry Port in Vientiane Capital with Thailand’s Nong Khai Station. The Laotian Times noted that future plans involve connecting the new route with the China-Laos Railway via a planned new railway bridge crossing the Mekong River, adding another critical node for regional connectivity.

Click here to view the Chinese report