The China-Laos Railway launched two-way operations of the international freight train service between Yuxi and Vientiane on August 23. The journey of the international freight train started at Yanhe Station in Yuxi City, southwest China’s Yunnan Province, with the final destination in Vientiane, the capital of Laos. On the same day, a train also departed from Vientiane, heading toward Yanhe freight railway station, located in the Hongta District of Yuxi City.
This milestone marks a significant step in the deepening of regional trade and logistics cooperation between China and Laos. The two-way freight operation enhances logistical efficiency, reduces delivery times, and strengthens bilateral economic ties. By enabling a more consistent and predictable flow of goods, the service supports the growing demand for cross-border trade in agricultural products, consumer goods, electronics, and machinery.
Since its inauguration in December 2021, the China-Laos Railway has transported over 64.5 million tonnes of goods by the end of July this year, including more than 14.9 million tonnes of cross-border cargo. This reflects the route’s increasing role as a key international logistics corridor in Southeast Asia, contributing to China’s Belt and Road Initiative.
The China-Laos Railway spans approximately 1,035 km, connecting Kunming, the capital of Yunnan Province, with Vientiane. It includes about 422 km in Laos, and the rest in China. The railway officially opened on 3 December 2021, as a flagship Belt and Road project, and made more than 50 million passenger trips by March 2025. It features electrified, standard-gauge tracks and supports both passenger and freight services. The journey between Kunming and Vientiane, once taking days by road, can now be completed in just around 10 hours by train.
The Yuxi–Vientiane connection is part of a broader plan to develop Yuxi into a major international logistics hub. With the support of Yanhe Station’s freight infrastructure, the region is set to benefit from expanded trade opportunities, job creation, and industrial growth linked to both domestic and foreign markets.
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