China-Laos railway fuels tourism, economic growth: Lao PM

The China-Laos Railway, a landmark project of the Belt and Road Initiative, has not only deepened connectivity and exchange between the two countries, but also become a catalyst for economic development, said Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone in an interview with China Media Group (CMG) aired on Friday.

Since its launch in December 2021, the 1,035-km railway linking Kunming of southwest China's Yunnan Province and Laotian, capital of Vientiane, has seen booms in both freight and passenger transport. It now connects travelers to over 560 tourist attractions along its route.

"The tourism industry is a key economic pillar in many countries. It represents a form of local service export and it's a sustainable green industry. That's why tourism goes beyond simply moving people from one place to another. It also fosters friendly relations between people from different countries," the prime minister said.

The China Railway Kunming Group Co., Ltd. said that as of March 28, it had operated 71,000 passenger train trips on the railway, serving more than 480,000 international travelers from 112 countries and regions worldwide.

Last October in Kazan, Russia, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Lao President Thongloun Sisoulith agreed on the need to further develop and strengthen the China-Laos Railway, to advance the development of the China-Laos Economic Corridor, and to turn it into a model of cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative.

"To fully unlock the potential of the China-Laos Railway and ensure it delivers real benefits to people of both countries, our leaders have jointly called for the railway to be developed into a 'golden corridor' that improves people's lives. Guided by this shared vision, the Lao government has taken active steps to put these ideas into action. Looking back at more than three years since the railway's launch, we've focused particularly on enhancing passenger and freight services, with the aim of greatly improving convenience and efficiency," he said.

The railway has also opened up new development opportunities for regions beyond the capital city of Vientiane, with several key initiatives underway.

"First, China and Laos have already reached a consensus on jointly developing the China-Laos Border Economic Cooperation Zone (CLBECZ), which will include the areas of Boten (in Laos) and Mohan (in China). On our side, Laos has designated Boten as a special economic zone, and China is also actively strengthening cooperation at the provincial level to support this initiative. Second, Luang Prabang, a UNESCO World Heritage city, will leverage its rich cultural heritage and stunning natural landscape to focus on the growth of its service and tourism sectors. At the same time, there will be a strong emphasis on developing environmentally friendly industries to ensure sustainable development. Third, there is the Saysettha Development Zone, a comprehensive industrial park invested and developed by enterprises from Yunnan Province. Covering a planned area of 1,000 hectares, most of the zone is already completed and operational, serving primarily production and export functions," he said.

China-Laos railway fuels tourism, economic growth: Lao PM

The U.S.-led Joint Maritime Information Center (JMIC) on Saturday raised the maritime security threat level in the Strait of Hormuz from moderate to substantial, following recent attacks on commercial ships in waters near the strait.

JMIC had lowered the maritime threat level in waters surrounding the strait to moderate on June 18.

Saturday's JMIC notice also warned mariners of the presence of mines in the area and said naval forces are expected to operate there as mine-clearing activities continue.

Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has gradually picked up over the last week after the United States and Iran reached a memorandum of understanding, which included commitments to freedom of navigation through the vital waterway.

International shipping data showed that although Thursday's attack on a container ship had appeared to reduce traffic through the waterway, commercial vessels were still transiting the strait.

On Saturday, UKMTO said it had received reports that an oil tanker had been struck by unidentified projectiles, incurring some damage to the bridge but without harm to any crew members.

According to Iran's state television IRIB, the number of ships applying to pass through the Strait of Hormuz increased significantly on Saturday morning local time.

It said that Iran's regulations regarding passage through the Strait of Hormuz remain in effect, adding that all vessels entering or leaving the waterway must communicate and coordinate with the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy (IRGCN).

The Persian Gulf Straits Authority (PGSA) issued a notice on social media on Friday, saying that all vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz must follow the prescribed routes and procedures.

It said that vessels that deviate from designated routes without authorization will not be covered by security guarantees or related insurance coverage.

U.S.-led maritime center raises threat level in Strait of Hormuz to "substantial"