开通运营四周年之际 本报记者实地探访——中老铁路的二十四小时

Core Insights - The China-Laos Railway has become a flagship project for mutual cooperation between China and Laos, significantly enhancing passenger and cargo transport since its opening in December 2021, with over 62.5 million passengers and 72.5 million tons of goods transported [1] Group 1: Economic Impact - The railway serves as a "golden passage" for connectivity between China, Laos, and Southeast Asia, injecting new vitality into regional economic and social development [1] - The railway has improved transportation efficiency, reducing travel time significantly for passengers, such as cutting the journey from Vientiane to Luang Prabang from 6-8 hours to under 2 hours [2] - In the first three quarters of this year, Laos welcomed 3.369 million foreign tourists, a 15% increase compared to the same period last year, largely attributed to the railway's impact on tourism [4] Group 2: Tourism Development - The railway connects major tourist cities in Laos and China, facilitating easier access for international travelers, with 87% of visitors to Luang Prabang now arriving by train [4] - The Laos Ministry of Culture and Tourism emphasizes that the railway has significantly enhanced the convenience of travel in northern Laos, thus promoting tourism [4] Group 3: Service Improvements - The railway management has implemented a multilingual service system to cater to international travelers, enhancing the overall travel experience [5] - A new customer service hotline was launched, providing support in multiple languages to assist travelers with inquiries and ticketing [5] Group 4: Emergency Response and Community Support - The railway has become a vital channel for emergency medical transport and material delivery, acting as a "lifeline" during natural disasters [7] - The railway has successfully completed numerous emergency medical missions, including around 10 cross-border transfers of critically ill patients each year [7] Group 5: Workforce Development - The railway has focused on training local staff, with over 67% of employees being Laotian, and plans to provide more training opportunities for local talent [10] - The establishment of a talent pipeline is underway, with local drivers being trained to operate passenger trains independently by 2026 [10] Group 6: Infrastructure and Maintenance - Regular maintenance of the railway infrastructure is conducted to ensure safety and operational efficiency, with local workers actively involved in these efforts [11] - The railway has seen significant improvements in local economies, with new businesses emerging along the railway line due to increased connectivity [10]