The construction of a China-Laos 500-kilovolt interconnection project officially began on Wednesday, as confirmed by China Southern Power Grid.
Upon completion, the project is expected to deliver three billion kilowatt-hours of clean electricity annually.
Spanning 183.5 kilometers, the transmission line will connect Laos' Oudomxay Province to southwest China's Yunnan Province.
The project is divided into two segments: the Lao section with the length of 35.5 kilometers, and the Chinese section, which stretches for 148 kilometers.
A new 500kV substation will also be built as part of the project.
Set to be completed and operational by 2026, the project will enhance the power-sharing capacity between the two countries up to 1.5 million kilowatts, enabling a two-way flow of electricity.
"The China-Laos 500kV interconnection project will improve the electricity transmission capacity between the two countries, enabling Laos to export clean energy when there is surplus and providing timely support to Laos during peak demand with clean electricity from China, which achieves cross-regional, large-scale optimization of clean energy allocation," said Lin Rui, deputy general manager of China Southern Power Grid Lancang-Mekong International Energy Co., Ltd.
Construction of China-Laos 500kV power interconnection project begins
Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said on Monday that Iran has obtained extensive documents and evidence linking the recent unrest across the country to the U.S. and Israel, noting that Mossad agents attempted to direct such "terrorist acts."
Araghchi said at a press conference in Tehran that since Dec 28, 2025, Iran had seen peaceful demonstrations organized by industry associations and economic professional. In the following days, more participants joined, and the situation gradually escalated from peaceful rallies into violent clashes.
Beginning on Jan 8, terrorists and armed groups carrying weapons entered protest sites and opened fire on police and civilians, with the aim of steering demonstrations toward violence, bloodshed and chaos, he said.
"Israeli media reports are rife with claims that Israel has designed and conducted operations in Iran. Mr. [Mike] Pompeo, who was Trump's CIA director, said on his X that 'Happy New Year to every Iranian in the streets. Also to every Mossad agent walking beside them.' This clearly shows that Mossad agents attempted to direct such terrorist acts," the minister said. Addressing military threats from the U.S. and Israel, Araghchi said Iran does not seek war but is fully prepared to face up to war. He added that Iran is ready for serious and pragmatic negotiations with the U.S., but the talks must be based on fairness, equality and mutual respect, rather than unilateral pressure or directives from Washington.
On the same day, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei condemned the U.S. and Israel at a regular press briefing in Tehran. He said the two countries have made "extensive interventionist remarks" regarding Iran's situation, saying such statements are intended to foment chaos, violence and instability.
The spokesman said Iran is closely monitoring the development of the situation and remains fully prepared, warning that Iran's armed forces will respond to any act of aggression by its enemies.
Mossad agents attempt to direct terrorist acts: Iranian FM
