The China-Laos Railway, linking the Lao capital Vientiane with Kunming, the capital of southwest China's Yunnan Province, has helped to significantly boost tourism in the only landlocked country in Southeast Asia, which is experiencing a surge in both domestic and international arrivals.
Since its launch in December 2021, the 1,035-kilometer rail line has helped to connect the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and Laos' strategy to convert itself from a landlocked country to a land-linked hub in the Indo-China Peninsula.
"The railway has brought benefits to tourism in the country, not only from visitors from China of course, but also other international tourists who are visiting Vientiane and then being able to connect on up to Luang Prabang and other important tourist sites. And then it has also brought a surge in domestic tourists," said Steven Cleary, a Vientiane-based analyst.
With only a 3.5-kilometer-long railroad to Thailand previously, the economic development of Laos had long been restricted.
Thanks to the launch of the China-Laos Railway cross-border passenger train service in April 2023, tourism got activated in Laos, a top priority amid the Lao government's efforts to revitalize the economy.
"Taking a train here is not only good and quite comfortable but also allows us to enjoy the scenery along the way," said Zhuo Liyan, a Chinese tourist of a group that traveled down to Vientiane from Yunnan.
"I feel very happy, very good, and eat very well," said Wang Yiyong, another Chinese tourist.
The railway plays a crucial role in attracting more visitors to explore the plentiful tourist attractions in the South Asian country.
For instance, nestled in the lush jungle surrounding the historic royal settlement, Luang Prabang, situated beside the Mekong River, is renowned for its architecture and magnificent Buddhist temples. The town was listed by UNESCO as a world heritage in 1995.
Previously, reaching Luang Prabang involved a lengthy and strenuous journey by road, but now, it is just a two-hour train ride away from Vientiane.
"We heard that it's a great experience to travel by train -- you get to see a lot more of the country and experience it, and it's a very convenient method of transportation. So, we're looking forward to making that journey," said Peter Lusse, a Dutch tourist.
China-Laos Railway helps boost tourist arrivals in Laos
Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Peru's capital Lima on Thursday to attend the 31st APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting and pay a state visit to the Latin American country at the invitation of Peruvian President Dina Boluarte.
When Xi arrived at the Callao Air Base in Lima, he was warmly welcomed by Peruvian Prime Minister Gustavo Adrianzen and other senior officials. A local student expressed warm welcome to Xi in Chinese. Guards of honor lined up on both sides of the red carpet to salute.
In a written statement upon his arrival, Xi said it gives him great pleasure to once again pay a state visit to the Republic of Peru and attend the 31st APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting at the invitation of President Dina Boluarte, adding that he feels very close to Peru as he again stepped onto this beautiful and rich land with a long history.
On behalf of the Chinese government and people, Xi extended his sincere greetings and best wishes to the government and people of Peru.
China and Peru enjoy a long history of friendship, which is deeply rooted in the hearts of the people, Xi said, noting that as early as more than 400 years ago, the people of the two countries started friendly exchanges through the Maritime Silk Road and "the Manila Galleons," or "La Nao de China."
China and Peru established diplomatic ties 53 years ago, making Peru one of the first Latin American countries to establish diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China, he said.
In recent years, with the joint efforts of various sectors of the two countries, the development of China-Peru relations has continued deepening, and political mutual trust has been increasingly consolidated, Xi said, adding that the two countries have understood and supported each other on issues concerning each other's core interests and major concerns.
China has been Peru's largest trading partner and largest export market for 10 years in a row, and steady progress has been made on major cooperation projects in fields such as mining and infrastructure, bringing tangible benefits to the two peoples, he said.
Xi said that he will hold talks with President Boluarte to have an in-depth exchange of views on China-Peru relations, practical cooperation in various fields and international and regional issues of common concern, and will also attend the inauguration ceremony of the Chancay Port with President Boluarte.
Xi added that he looks forward to attending the 31st APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting and working with all parties to ensure its success and make new contributions to building an open Asia-Pacific economy, promoting world economic growth, and jointly building an Asia-Pacific community with a shared future.
John Lee Ka-chiu, chief executive of China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and Song Yang, Chinese ambassador to Peru, were also at the airport to greet President Xi.
On Xi's way from the airport to the hotel, representatives of overseas Chinese, Chinese institutions, Chinese students, as well as local people lined the road to greet him. They waved national flags of China and Peru, performed dragon and lion dances to warmly welcome the Chinese president for his visit.
En route from Beijing to Lima, Xi's plane made a technical stopover on Spain's Gran Canaria Island where he was welcomed and seen off by senior Spanish officials at the airport.
The 31st APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting will be held on Friday and Saturday in Lima.
Xi arrives in Peru for APEC meeting, state visit
