The China-Laos Railway, a landmark project of the Belt and Road Initiative, has not only deepened connectivity and exchange between the two countries, but also become a catalyst for economic development, said Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone in an interview with China Media Group (CMG) aired on Friday.
Since its launch in December 2021, the 1,035-km railway linking Kunming of southwest China's Yunnan Province and Laotian, capital of Vientiane, has seen booms in both freight and passenger transport. It now connects travelers to over 560 tourist attractions along its route.
"The tourism industry is a key economic pillar in many countries. It represents a form of local service export and it's a sustainable green industry. That's why tourism goes beyond simply moving people from one place to another. It also fosters friendly relations between people from different countries," the prime minister said.
The China Railway Kunming Group Co., Ltd. said that as of March 28, it had operated 71,000 passenger train trips on the railway, serving more than 480,000 international travelers from 112 countries and regions worldwide.
Last October in Kazan, Russia, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Lao President Thongloun Sisoulith agreed on the need to further develop and strengthen the China-Laos Railway, to advance the development of the China-Laos Economic Corridor, and to turn it into a model of cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative.
"To fully unlock the potential of the China-Laos Railway and ensure it delivers real benefits to people of both countries, our leaders have jointly called for the railway to be developed into a 'golden corridor' that improves people's lives. Guided by this shared vision, the Lao government has taken active steps to put these ideas into action. Looking back at more than three years since the railway's launch, we've focused particularly on enhancing passenger and freight services, with the aim of greatly improving convenience and efficiency," he said.
The railway has also opened up new development opportunities for regions beyond the capital city of Vientiane, with several key initiatives underway.
"First, China and Laos have already reached a consensus on jointly developing the China-Laos Border Economic Cooperation Zone (CLBECZ), which will include the areas of Boten (in Laos) and Mohan (in China). On our side, Laos has designated Boten as a special economic zone, and China is also actively strengthening cooperation at the provincial level to support this initiative. Second, Luang Prabang, a UNESCO World Heritage city, will leverage its rich cultural heritage and stunning natural landscape to focus on the growth of its service and tourism sectors. At the same time, there will be a strong emphasis on developing environmentally friendly industries to ensure sustainable development. Third, there is the Saysettha Development Zone, a comprehensive industrial park invested and developed by enterprises from Yunnan Province. Covering a planned area of 1,000 hectares, most of the zone is already completed and operational, serving primarily production and export functions," he said.
A Vietnamese official has highlighted the growing strength and diversity of trade and investment ties between Vietnam with China, with Vietnam an increasingly popular destination for a broad range of Chinese investments.
"In recent years, Chinese investors have been particularly interested in expanding their market in Vietnam, not only manufacturing but also many other fields of business, such as real estate. They invest in Vietnam to touch the advantages and incentives, and you know Vietnam has very, very cheap labor. That's why every week, we receive many delegations and many individual investors from China to Vietnam," Van Duc Phu, an official from Vietnam's Ministry of Finance, told China Media Group (CMG) in an interview broadcast on Monday
The expanding economic engagement builds on already robust trade relations, data from the Chinese Ministry of Commerce shows.
Since 2004, China has been Vietnam's largest trading partner, while Vietnam has been China's largest ASEAN trading partner since 2016.
The official stressed the mutually beneficial nature of the relationship, dismissing notions of economic rivalry.
"We don't have competition. We are partners. China is our big partner, our neighbor, our strategic partner. But we never compete together because China has experience for many years, 30 years, 40 years. So for my part, I advise to study from China," he said.
He said Vietnam was eager to see more Chinese technology in the country to support its industrial upgrading and digital transformation efforts.
"We always hope that Chinese investors can bring your technology to Vietnam and then we can learn a lot of from you. Now in this year 2025, Vietnam government will take some priority for the high-end technology. So I want to say that I don't see any competition between Vietnam and China. I just see the many positive activities between us," said the official.
In 2024, bilateral trade volume between the two countries topped 200 billion dollars for the fourth consecutive year, reaching 260.65 billion dollars, a 13.5-percent increase from 2023. Chinese companies invested over 2.5 billion dollars in Vietnam last year, continuing a robust growth trend, according to the official data.
The data shows trade structures between the two nations are highly complementary, with telecoms equipment, electronic components, household appliances, and construction materials among China's major exports to Vietnam, while Vietnam sends a range of goods the other way including agricultural and aquatic products, smartphones, computers, and footwear.
Vietnamese official highlights growing trade and investment ties with China