by Chanthaphaphone Mixayboua, Zhang Jianhua, Lin Hao
VIENTIANE, April 4 (Xinhua) -- The Lao government is preparing for the start of cross-border passenger service on the China-Laos Railway, to ensure safe and smooth travel of all visitors.
Deputy Chief Engineer of the Laos-China Railway Company Vongthong Souphanthong has told reporters that the first cross-border passenger service between the Lao capital Vientiane and Kunming, the capital of southwest China's Yunnan province, is expected to run from April 13.
"We are in the process of coordinating and preparing various aspects of the service in both Laos and China in readiness for direct train travel between the two cities," said Vongthong.
Lao Deputy Prime Minister Saleumxay Kommasith last month traveled to Luang Namtha province, which borders China, to monitor the progress of the railway preparations. Governor of Luang Namtha Viengsavath Siphandone briefed Saleumxay on the service readiness, including checkpoints for people entering and exiting the country, personnel and service equipment required to facilitate passengers.
Saleumxay instructed all relevant sectors, including the Laos-China Railway Company (LCRC) and the Special Economic Zone in the region, to work together and ensure the new service operates as planned and runs smoothly.
During the visit, Saleumxay also inspected immigration checkpoints at Boten Station in Luang Namtha, which is the main entry point into Laos from China.
At an extraordinary cabinet meeting in March, Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone called for the urgent installation of immigration booths at train stations to facilitate travel by both inbound and outbound passengers.
The prime minister instructed the Ministry of Public Works and Transport to work with the LCRC, a joint venture which is responsible for the operation of the railway's Lao section, to designate areas inside stations where immigration booths could be installed.
The instruction came amid increasing demand for rail travel, especially with the arrival of more tourists.
When visiting the Vientiane station of the cross-border railway in the capital on Feb. 27, Sonexay asked the LCRC to improve facilities and other services offered by the railway to get ready to embrace an influx of tourists.
Meanwhile, the rail operator set out plans to improve services in relation to both passenger travel and freight transport, including resolving existing problems, so that tourists, especially from China, can enjoy the railway service.
The China-Laos Railway, which began operation in December 2021, has so far offered domestic passenger services, while trains regularly carry freight across the Laos-China border. ■