China-Laos Railway carries over 26.8 mln tonnes of cargo 22 months into operation

This aerial photo taken on Aug. 9, 2022 shows trucks for cross-border goods transportation at Vientiane South Station of China-Laos Railway in Laos. (Photo by Kaikeo Saiyasane/Xinhua)

KUNMING, Oct. 4 (Xinhua) -- The China-Laos Railway, as of Tuesday, 22 months into its operation, had transported more than 26.8 million tonnes of cargo, including 5.5 million tonnes of import and export cargo, according to China Railway Kunming Group Co., Ltd.

The railway has seen its freight portfolio expand to more than 2,700 categories.

As of Tuesday, the China-Laos Railway had transported 83,500 tonnes of fruits and vegetables, worth over 2.2 billion yuan (306.4 million U.S. dollars), including 72,500 tonnes of imported fruits.

This year has witnessed a surge in cargo throughput handled by the China-Laos Railway -- over 14 million tonnes so far in 2023, with more than three million tonnes of import and export cargo included in this figure.

The China-Laos Railway, a landmark project showcasing high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, began operation in December 2021. This 1,035-km railway connects China's Kunming with the city of Vientiane in Laos. ■