Building work adds to Laos BRI bonds

A building at The Institute of Posts and Telecommunications started construction aided by China in the Laotian capital Vientiane on Monday, further boosting cooperation between the two countries under the Belt and Road Initiative.

Upon completion, the building, which will be constructed by State-owned company China Railway Construction Corporation, will be a five-story infrastructure that includes classrooms, laboratories, a library and offices.

Monday also marked the 61st anniversary of the founding of diplomatic ties between China and Laos.

The project has profound significance to the friendship between China and Laos and will push ahead the building of a community with a shared future for mankind, said Jiang Zaidong, Chinese ambassador to Laos, during the ceremony to launch the construction of the project.

He also noted that China will promote cooperation in vocational education between the two countries, increasing economic and social development in Laos and benefiting people from both sides.

Lao Minister of Technology and Communications Boviengkham Vongdara acknowledged China's contributions to the development of information and technology education in Laos, and noted that both sides will deepen cooperation in this regard.

This is the second project that China Railway Construction has carried out since the China-Laos Railway, a flagship project highlighting mutually beneficial cooperation between China and Laos.

Economic boost

The China-Laos Railway, connecting Kunming in Southwest China's Yunnan province to Vientiane, began operations in December. The line has shortened the journey from Kunming to Vientiane by about 10 hours.

Over 20 Laotian workers who participated in the China-Laos Railway project will join this new project.

China Railway Construction said the project will hire nearly 160 local workers for the construction, aiming to boost local employment and enhance economic development.

In order to train local workers in construction skills, the project will establish a master-apprentice model and develop a bilingual guidebook.

Special training programs will be offered on a weekly basis, and will train carpenters, painters, electricians and welders.

China Railway Construction will also draw up a bilingual chart to show the construction process in detail and produce a technology pocket book for the convenience of local workers.

Upon completion of the building's construction, China will help Laos train talent in information and communication technology in a further boost to mutual development.