China-Laos Railway's Cross-Border Trade Value Surpasses 80 Billion Yuan, Boosting Two-Way Exchanges

Since its opening and operation, the China-Laos Railway has been playing an increasingly prominent role as a "golden corridor" for cross-border trade. As of April 7 this year, the total import and export trade value via the railway has exceeded 8 billion yuan, vividly interpreting the concept of "Made in China going south and Southeast Asian specialties going north" and injecting strong vitality into regional economic cooperation.

Xinhua News Agency reports that the China-Laos Railway, a landmark project of the Belt and Road Initiative, has operated smoothly for nearly four and a half years, with its cross-border trade vitality continuing to burst. The variety of import and export commodities has expanded from more than 500 at the initial stage of opening to over 3,800, its transportation services cover more than 6,000 enterprises across China, and it radiates 19 countries and regions including Laos and Thailand.

Data shows that in the first quarter of this year, the import and export trade value of the China-Laos Railway reached 6.81 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 62.7%, hitting a record high for the same period in previous years. On the import side, the trade value of fresh and dried fruits imported via the railway reached 500 million yuan, doubling year-on-year, while the trade value of bulk commodities such as grain and metal ores reached 1.13 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 34.6%.

Durian has become a highlight of imports. The Mohan Railway Port has developed into the largest railway port for durian imports in China. "The railway cold chain maintains precise temperature control throughout the whole process, and customs clearance is convenient. It only takes 30 hours at the fastest from Thai orchards to the domestic market," said Zhang Dehuan, deputy general manager of Tananel International Logistics Yunnan Branch. He added that the peak season demand is growing, and the business is becoming increasingly prosperous.

China Daily points out that the China-Laos Railway has revolutionized cross-border logistics in the Indochina Peninsula, greatly reducing transportation losses and costs of fresh fruits. The railway department has developed new cold chain equipment with stable operation and excellent fresh-keeping performance, effectively solving logistics bottlenecks for perishable goods.

On the export side, the trade value of "new three types" products exported via the China-Laos Railway reached 1.3 billion yuan, a year-on-year surge of 10.4 times. Among them, the export of photovoltaic products reached 1.19 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 43.2 times, reflecting the strong competitiveness of China's new energy products in the Southeast Asian market.

To further release the potential of the "golden corridor", 16 specific measures to optimize the port business environment and promote cross-border trade facilitation have been launched this year. Relevant departments have promoted the implementation of eight major actions including "Smooth the Silk Road" to boost high-quality development of Yunnan's foreign trade, and in-depth reform of supervision models such as "Railway Express Clearance" and "Release First, Inspection Later".

These measures have effectively guaranteed the efficient operation of international freight trains such as the "Lancang-Mekong Express" and "China-Laos Railway + China-Europe Railway Express". China Government Network reports that the railway has operated more than 2,400 "Lancang-Mekong Express" trains, and the "China-Laos Railway + China-Europe Railway Express" model has shortened the direct transportation time from Laos, Thailand and other countries to Europe to 15 days, further expanding the radiation scope of cross-border trade.