The China-Laos 500-kilovolt power interconnection project, a key energy cooperation initiative under the Belt and Road Initiative, achieved a significant milestone on Thursday as its transmission line was connected across the shared border.
The project stands out for its extensive environmental protection measures implemented while traversing the rainforest habitat of wild Asian elephants.
Scheduled for full operation this year, the project will establish two-way power exchange capacity of 1.5 million kilowatts, enabling the annual transmission of three billion kilowatt-hours of clean electricity, and facilitating optimized, large-scale clean energy allocation across the region.
Stretching 177.5 kilometers from northern Laos' Oudomxay Province to southwest China's Yunnan Province, the project's most sensitive segment crosses through protected forests that are home to wild Asian elephants, prompting the project team to prioritize ecological protection from the outset.
To minimize ground disturbance, engineers deployed an aerial transport fleet of drones and helicopters, delivering more than 5,000 tons of materials directly to tower construction sites. This method has reduced environmental impact by over 90 percent compared with traditional road-based construction.
"Using drones and helicopters for transport is an investment in environmental protection and reflects our commitment to high-quality development," said Fu Weibin, deputy manager of the project.
The project also introduced "elephant guardians", specialists who monitor herd movements using a smart warning app, satellite observation systems, and drones to keep both animals and construction crews safe. "Elephant guardians use an early-warning app to basically identify the location of elephant herds. They then combine that with our forest sky-eye monitoring system, video surveillance, and drones to closely track the herd's movements and promptly notify construction personnel," said Wen Ronghui, a technical expert.
Upon completion, the line will serve as a clean energy corridor, integrating hydro and solar power from northern Laos and enhancing electricity exchange between the two countries. It is expected to boost regional power connectivity and support low-carbon growth across the Lancang-Mekong sub-region.
China-Laos green power corridor protects elephant habitat
China-Laos green power corridor protects elephant habitat
At least 21 more Palestinians, including children and a paramedic, were killed in Israeli attacks across the Gaza Strip on Wednesday, said the Palestinian Civil Defense in Gaza.
Mahmoud Basal, spokesman for the Civil Defense, said that the Israeli army had been carrying out artillery and airstrikes on Gaza City and Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip since dawn, targeting tents sheltering displaced people and residential buildings.
In the latest attack, an Israeli drone struck a tent housing displaced people in the al-Mawasi area west of Khan Younis, killing three, including two women and a paramedic, according to Basal.
"All the children were terrified and screaming because of the sound of the bombardment. My children ran toward me because of the explosions. I tried to calm them down, but smoke was everywhere around us," said Fatima Al-Astal, a displaced Palestinian woman living near the attacked tent.
"Paramedic Hussein was among the first ambulance crews to arrive at the scene. He managed to retrieve two bodies. Due to the large number of casualties, he was forced to return again to rescue the injured. At that moment, the area was targeted once more, which led to his killing," said Yassin Mutair, director of the Khan Younis Ambulance Center.
Basal added that 14 people, including three children and five women, were killed and several others were wounded in artillery shelling on the outskirts of the Zeitoun and Tuffah neighborhoods east of Gaza City. Some of the wounded were taken to Al-Shifa Medical Complex.
Earlier, four people, including a child, were killed in Israeli artillery shelling that targeted tents sheltering displaced people in the Qizan Rashwan area south of Khan Younis. The victims were taken to Nasser Medical Complex in the city.
Also on Wednesday, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said in a statement that militants opened fire on its troops during routine operations near the northern Gaza border, severely injuring an Israeli reserve officer.
"Upon identifying the fire, IDF armored units and IAF aircraft conducted precise strikes in the area. The IDF views this attack as a blatant violation of the current ceasefire agreement," it said.
In response, Hamas dismissed the Israeli claim as a "flimsy pretext" to justify continued killings in the Gaza Strip.
Israeli escalation was "an attempt to impose a permanent reality of abuse and terrorism in Gaza," in flagrant disregard for the terms of the ceasefire agreement and existing understandings, Hamas said, calling for immediate international pressure to stop Israel's violations.
Since a ceasefire between Hamas and Israel came into effect on Oct. 10, 2025, Israel has killed 556 Palestinians and wounded 1,500 others, according to Gaza-based health authorities on Wednesday.
At least 21 more Palestinians killed in Israeli attacks across Gaza Strip: civil defense
At least 21 more Palestinians killed in Israeli attacks across Gaza Strip: civil defense
