China Railway said the China-Laos Railway has accelerated the formation of a new logistics channel between China and members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), with the railway transporting 670,000 passengers and 170,000 tons of goods in the first month of its operation.

In a statement by China State Railway Group Co reported by state media Global Times, it said the successful operation of the China-Laos Railway has boosted local tourism while bringing more convenience to residents living along the line.

"The China-Laos Railway has strongly boosted the tourism economy along the line, attracting many tourists who take the train to visit major scenic spots," the report said, adding that bookings for Pu'er and Xishuangbanna have increased by 92.4% and 59.9% respectively, compared with the previous month. 

It said the railway has also shortened shipping time and costs between Kunming in Yunnan and Vientiane in Laos to as little as 30 hours, with 380 cargo trains having operated since December 3, sending 170,000 tons of goods, including 70 international cargo trains.  

It added that more than 10 provinces and cities in China, including East China's Shandong, Zhejiang and Jiangsu provinces, Southwest China's Chongqing Municipality, and South China's Guangdong Province, have started international cargo trains to Vientiane and other foreign cities through the China-Laos Railway.

Volumes expected to grow

Goods shipped through the railway include rubber and fertilizer at the beginning to electronics, photovoltaics, communications equipment, automobiles, textiles, vegetables, flowers and other products.

China State Railway Group added that with the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) taking effect from January 1, the freight volume of the China-Laos Railway is expected to grow steadily.