The first cross-border passenger train runs on the Ganlanba bridge of the China-Laos railway in Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Yunnan Province on April 13, 2023. (Xinhua/Shan Yuqi)
VIENTIANE, April 14 (Xinhua) -- The China-Laos Railway officially started cross-border passenger services on Thursday, a move that is expected to boost regional connectivity.
The first batch of passengers taking the first cross-border passenger train were greeted with warm welcome by Lao officials and staff members upon their arrival at Vientiane station.
A milestone in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), the 1,035-km-long China-Laos Railway stretches from Kunming in southwest China's Yunnan Province to the Lao capital Vientiane. According to officials, two trains with multi-language services will run in opposite directions each day, departing from Kunming and Vientiane, respectively.
Passengers prepare to board the first cross-border passenger train from Kunming in southwest China's Yunnan Province to the Lao capital Vientiane on April 13, 2023. (Xinhua/Xing Guangli)
Lao staff members perform at the first cross-border passenger train from Kunming in southwest China's Yunnan Province to the Lao capital Vientiane on April 13, 2023. (Xinhua/Xing Guangli)
An art performance is staged aboard the first cross-border passenger train from Kunming, southwest China's Yunnan Province to the Lao capital Vientiane on April 13, 2023. (Xinhua/Hu Chao)
The first cross-border passenger train from Kunming, southwest China's Yunnan Province to the Lao capital Vientiane passes by tea plantations in Pu'er, southwest China's Yunnan Province, April 13, 2023. (Xinhua/Jiang Wenyao)
Staff members welcome the first batch of passengers of the China-Laos cross-border train from China's Kunming to Laos' Vientiane station on April 13, 2023. (Xinhua/Xing Guangli)
Staff members welcome passengers taking the first cross-border passenger train from Kunming in southwest China's Yunnan Province to Laos' Vientiane station on April 13, 2023. (Xinhua/Xing Guangli)
Lao staff members greet passengers taking the first cross-border passenger train from Kunming in southwest China's Yunnan Province to Lao capital Vientiane at the Boten Station of the China-Laos Railway in Luang Namtha, Laos on April 13, 2023. (Xinhua/Xing Guangli)
Lao officials and staff members greet passengers taking the first cross-border passenger train from Kunming in southwest China's Yunnan Province to Lao capital Vientiane at the Boten Station of the China-Laos Railway in Luang Namtha, Laos on April 13, 2023. (Photo by Kaikeo Saiyasane/Xinhua)■
