Core Viewpoint - The "China-Laos Railway" has become a vital economic corridor, significantly boosting cross-border trade and transportation efficiency between China and ASEAN countries since its opening in December 2021, with a notable increase in freight volume and passenger traffic [2][4][7]. Group 1: Economic Impact - The railway has facilitated a continuous double-digit growth in freight volume for three consecutive years, with over 6.65 million tons of cargo transported by August 2023 [2][4]. - In the first half of 2023, the import and export value of agricultural products from Yunnan to ASEAN reached 18.62 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 23.5%, with more than half of the railway cargo transported via the China-Laos Railway [7]. Group 2: Operational Efficiency - The introduction of new cold chain containers has improved the reliability of transporting perishable goods like durians, leading to a significant increase in demand and operational capacity for companies involved in cross-border logistics [4][5]. - The railway has enhanced customs efficiency, reducing clearance times to 2-5 hours through innovative pre-declaration models, allowing for a higher frequency of freight trains, with up to 18 cross-border freight trains operating daily [6][9]. Group 3: Market Opportunities - The demand for Southeast Asian fruits, particularly durians, has surged, with the railway transporting over 155,000 tons of durians by August 2023, marking a year-on-year growth of over 90% [8][9]. - The railway has also opened new markets for Yunnan vegetables, significantly reducing transportation time to Laos and Thailand, thus increasing export volumes for local agricultural companies [8][9]. Group 4: Future Prospects - The China-Laos Railway is expected to continue evolving, with potential for further economic development along its route, transforming traditional agricultural towns into hub cities and attracting numerous enterprises in cold chain logistics and cross-border e-commerce [9][10].
累计货运量超6650万吨，跨境运输品类超3000种 从中老铁路透视外贸新动能（大数据观察·点读“十四五”）
Ren Min Ri Bao·2025-09-16 22:03