The China-Laos Railway has marked a significant milestone in 2024, transporting over 100,000 tonnes of fruits since the beginning of the year. This achievement reflects a remarkable 120 percent year-on-year increase, underscoring the railway’s pivotal role in boosting trade between China and Southeast Asia.
On July 11, a landmark shipment of 108 tonnes of durians from Thailand was unloaded at the Kunming Hongyun international logistics port, pushing the total fruit transport volume past the 100,000-tonne threshold. The shipment traveled from Vientiane South Station in Laos to Kunming, the capital of southwest China’s Yunnan Province, in just 29 hours, according to the China Railway Kunming Bureau Group Co., Ltd.
“The efficiency of the China-Laos Railway has been a game-changer for regional trade,” said a representative from the company. “Our streamlined customs clearance process has reduced cross-border clearance time to no more than five hours, facilitating the continuous flow of tropical fruits, vegetables, and flowers from South and Southeast Asia into China.”
Since its inception in December 2021, the 1,035-kilometer China-Laos Railway, a landmark project under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), has connected Kunming with Vientiane, significantly enhancing connectivity and economic cooperation in the region.
The railway’s efficiency has not only accelerated delivery times but also opened new avenues for producers and traders. With the customs clearance process optimized, perishable goods like fruits can reach markets fresher and faster than ever before.
Industry experts believe that the rising volumes of goods transported via the China-Laos Railway signal a strengthening economic partnership between China and its neighbors in South and Southeast Asia. This development is expected to contribute positively to regional economic growth and integration.
As the China-Laos Railway continues to facilitate trade and strengthen ties, businesses and consumers alike can look forward to reaping the benefits of increased accessibility and efficiency in cross-border transportation.
Reference(s):
China-Laos Railway transports over 100,000 tonnes of fruits in 2024
cgtn.com
