First "Members' Passage" Event Applauds the China-Laos Railway and CRE Train

　　

      On the afternoon of March 4, the first "Committee Channel" collective interview session was held at the Great Hall of the People during the Third Session of the 14th National People's Congress. Lin Songtian, a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and Vice Chairman of the CPPCC Foreign Affairs Committee, took the opportunity to praise the China-Laos Railway and the CRE train.

　　Lin highlighted that these flagship "Belt and Road" (BRI) projects have created remarkable comprehensive benefits. He cited the China-Laos Railway as the first flagship project, noting that it has transformed Laos from a "landlocked" country into a "land-linked" one, promoting the comprehensive development of Laos' economy and society. The railway also plays a key role in advancing the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area and regional development. The CRE train was also singled out as one of these flagship projects. Lin emphasized that the railway has established a new land-based transport route between Asia and Europe, forging a strong bond of friendship and mutual development between China and Europe. The Chinese railway authority is actively exploring new international transport models such as "China-Laos Railway + CRE train," reducing direct transport times from Laos, Thailand and other countries to Europe to just 15 days, thus promoting trade and economic cooperation across regions.

　　These "flagship projects" are part of the ongoing efforts by the Chinese railway authority to promote BRI. In 2024, the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan Railway project was successfully launched, with plans for high-quality, high-standard construction that aims to make it a new demonstration project for BRI cooperation.