The reporter learned from the Kunming Bureau of China Railway Group that as of September 20, the China-Laos Railway has launched more than 80,000 passenger trains, transporting more than 59 million passengers, and cross-border passengers exceeding 580,000. Passengers from 115 countries take the China-Laos Railway passenger train to travel to Vientiane, visit Yunnan, and see China, gradually achieving a gorgeous turn of "from access to smooth, from smooth to fast, from fast to prosperous", providing strong support for promoting regional connectivity and promoting economic and social development along the route.

On April 13, 2023, with the strong support of relevant departments of the Chinese and Lao governments, the Kunming South to Vientiane International train was launched in two directions, providing great convenience for the people of the two countries to travel across borders and tourism. Over the past two years, the China-Laos Railway International Passenger Train has quickly become a popular choice for cross-border travel for passengers from China and Laos with its prominent characteristics of efficiency and convenience.

The demand for cross-border travel of the China-Laos Railway is strong. According to statistics, the China-Laos Railway has sent 14.5 million passengers this year, an increase of 3.2% year-on-year, of which 11.9 million passengers were sent in the Chinese section and 2.6 million passengers were sent in the Lao section. In the past four years since its launch, the number of passengers has achieved a strong growth. The monthly number of passengers sent across the line increased from 600,000 in the early stage to more than 1.6 million. The initial daily passenger buses launched in the domestic section increased from 8 to the highest of 86, and a total of 48.6 million passengers were sent; in the Lao section, the number of passenger trains launched in the Lao section increased from 4 in the first single day to the highest of 18. The China-Laos Railway is like a strong east wind, greatly activates the tourism economy of the areas along the line.

In order to meet the travel needs of passengers, the railway department optimizes the train operation plan. The cross-border passenger seats for each international passenger train have increased from 250 per day to 420 per day, and the number of inbound and outbound people has increased from 300 per day to the highest 1,300 per day. At the same time, the railway department launched tourist trains such as "Starlight Lancang", "Train to Yunnan by train", and "Xiangzang" and set up a "special window" for international passenger ticket purchase at stations along the route. It has opened overseas bank card payment functions at multiple domestic passenger stations and supports a variety of foreign passenger ID ticket purchases. Mohan Station provides cash withdrawal services for withdrawing RMB; it has improved the functions of overseas passenger ticket system, expanded the Internet ticket sales payment methods, and benefited passengers from all countries.

(Reporter Zheng Liankai and Liu Wenjie of the General Station)