China-Laos Railway Construction Begins Officially

The railroad construction project, China-Laos, was officially launched yesterday in a ceremony held in the northern city of Luang Prabang in Laos, according to media reports.

[ad id=”126376″]

Bounchanh Sinthavong, the minister of Public Works and Transport, stressed that the initiative would promote bilateral cooperation and strengthen economic ties in the China-Asean Free Trade Area (Association of Southeast Asian Nations).

According to sources, the railroad will stretch 417 kilometers, from the Chinese border to Vientiane, will cost 5.8 billion dollars and will be opened in 2021.

Among the benefits are the reduction in the cost of transportation, increased tourist flow and investment between the two countries, as well as the stimulation of development in industry and agriculture.

The ceremony was also attended by the Laotian Prime Minister, Thongloun Sisoulith, the Chinese ambassador to Laos, Guan Huabing, other government officials and entrepreneurs linked to the project.