The China-Laos Railway has transported more than 16 million tons of goods worth over 70 billion yuan in four years since it began operation, according to customs data.
The railway has established itself as a vital trade artery, with the variety of goods shipped expanding from 583 categories at its launch to more than 3,800. Its freight services now connect over 6,000 enterprises across China with 19 countries and regions, including Laos and Thailand, strengthening economic ties across Southeast Asia.
As a flagship project under the Belt and Road Initiative, the 1,035-kilometer railway links Kunming, the provincial capital of Yunnan in southwest China, with Vientiane, the capital of Laos. Since its opening in December 2021, it has evolved into a "golden gateway," significantly boosting connectivity and promoting the flow of trade between China and Southeast Asian countries.
China-Laos Railway handles 16 mln tons of goods
India's manufacturing industry has been threatened by shortages in the global energy supply amid mounting tensions and escalating spillover effects spreading beyond the Middle Eastern battlefield.
Glass producers in the country are feeling the acute strain of natural gas shortages, which have forced many production lines to shut down. This, in turn, has impacted beverage companies that rely on glass containers.
"The glass is a critical part of the packaging and it accounts for nearly 45 percent of the cost of beer. Now, there is no gas supply coming. So, a lot of furnaces are unable to operate. Production lines are shutting down," said Vinod Giri, director general of the Brewers Association of India.
Fuel shortages are also hitting India’s metalworking sector, leading to price volatility for stainless-steel cookware. As these goods are essential to daily life, persistent supply instabilities are placing considerable strain on related businesses
"[Metal] prices continue to rise, making our business extremely difficult. We face raw material shortages, production halts, shutdowns in some areas, and worker exodus. Since the outbreak of the war, raw material prices have risen by 10 percent to 15 percent and continue to climb. We have no idea when the price hikes will stop," said Krishan Aggarwal, a stainless steel cookware trader.
Israel and the United States launched joint attacks on Tehran and several other Iranian cities on Feb. 28, killing Iran's then Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, along with senior military commanders and civilians. Iran responded with waves of missile and drone strikes against Israel and U.S. assets in the Middle East, while tightening control over the Strait of Hormuz by restricting passage to vessels belonging to or affiliated with Israel and the United States.
Spillover effects of Middle East conflict threaten manufacturing industry in India
