New frontiers: The China-Laos Railway officially launched its cross-border passenger train service yesterday, ahead of the Lao New Year Festival, from today till Sunday. — Vientiane Times/ANN
THE LAO people are eager to welcome Chinese travellers arriving on a cross-border passenger train launched on the China-Laos Railway yesterday, with excitement and hope.
“I am so excited to welcome the passengers travelling on the cross-border passenger train. Because the launch of the service is a milestone for Laos that really makes me feel like I’m a part of history,” a food vendor at a market in the Lao capital Vientiane, who gave her name only as Manilanh, said on Wednesday.
Manilanh told Xinhua that she looked forward to greeting Chinese tourists, saying their arrival will boost the recovery of Laos’ tourism.
The first cross-border passenger service between the Lao capital Vientiane and Kunming, the capital city of southwest China’s Yunnan province, was operational since yesterday, ahead of the Lao New Year holiday, that starts today till Sunday.
More than 200 Chinese tourists are expected to arrive in Laos on the first cross-border passenger train from China.
“The first cross-border passenger train will come during the Lao New Year festival, and many provinces in Laos will stage a range of activities to celebrate the festival this year. I hope that Chinese visitors will enjoy the vibe of the celebrations,” a Vientiane vendor calling herself Khamchai told Xinhua.
“As the tourism industry is a main source of foreign currency, I believe that Chinese tourists will give a big boost to economic recovery in Laos,” she added.
Tourism has been viewed as a key sector to bolster the Lao economy, Thipphakone Chanthavongsa, deputy head of the Prime Minister’s Office, said at the government’s monthly meeting on March 29.
As the China-Laos Railway becomes a crucial infrastructure in facilitating travel, Lao tourism authorities estimate that around 368,000 Chinese travellers will visit Laos this year, up 21% from 2022.
Experts believe that millions of Chinese tourists will visit Asean member countries, with many of them to travel on the China-Laos Railway. — Xinhua
