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

KUNMING -- 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 US 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.