（InKunming Lexi）On May 25th, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning stated that the China-Laos Railway has been flourishing in terms of passenger and freight transportation since its opening over a year ago. It has stimulated local employment, promoted trade exchanges, and ensured that Laos maintains its pristine environment as before. China is willing to work together with regional countries to continue sharing the opportunities brought by connectivity, achieving common development and prosperity.

The scenery along the China-Laos Railway is very beautiful. (Photo by Pan Quan）

During the regular press conference, a journalist asked: According to reports, the China-Laos Railway has served 16 million passengers as of May 23rd. Some say while the railway has boosted trade and tourism links between China and Laos and the wider region, it remains to be seen whether it delivers tangible benefits to the local people. What’s your comment?

"The China-Laos Railway has seen booming passenger and freight services since it became open to traffic over a year ago." Mao Ning said, last month, cross-border passenger trains started running in opposite directions departing from Kunming of China and Vientiane of Laos respectively. A one-way journey takes less than half a day. This has made people-to-people exchange much easier and given a strong boost to the development of tourism and trade cooperation.

Mao Ning mentioned that the China-Laos Railway has been a boon in terms of employment. Since its operation started, the railway has employed more than 3,500 Laotian staff and created over 100,000 jobs indirectly by catalyzing progress in logistics, transportation, trade and commerce, tourism and other sectors. Thanks to the railway, more and more young people in Laos have the opportunity to travel beyond the mountains where they have always lived.

Mao Ning also pointed out that the China-Laos Railway has given a strong boost to trade. The railway has sent 3.26 million tonnes of exported cargo from Laos and Thailand to China. Transportation of goods from many ASEAN countries have also benefited from this golden transportation route. Today, it only takes three days for glutinous rice from Laos and durian from Thailand to reach the tables of Chinese consumers. Ecological conservation has been a top priority during the construction and operation of the China-Laos Railway. The railway avoided going through six natural and cultural protection areas and protected forests at the national level. The total greening area along the railway is over 3 million square meters. All these efforts are aimed to ensure that the beautiful natural landscape will not be affected.

"The China-Laos Railway is an epitome of China’s Belt and Road cooperation with the world. We aim to share more opportunities generated by connectivity with regional countries to achieve development and prosperity for all," Mao Ning said.

5月25日，外交部发言人毛宁表示，中老铁路开通一年多来客货两旺，带动了当地就业，促进了贸易往来，确保老挝绿水青山一如从前。中方愿同地区国家一道，继续共享互联互通带来的机遇，实现共同发展、共同繁荣。

当日例行记者会上，有记者问：据报道，截至5月23日，中老铁路已累计发送旅客1600万人次。有评论称，中老铁路增进了两国和地区的贸易旅游联系，但老挝当地民众能否实实在在受益还有待观察。请问发言人对此有何评论？

“中老铁路开通一年多来，确实是客货两旺。”毛宁说，一个多月前，中老铁路开通双向国际旅客列车，从昆明到万象实现朝发夕至，进一步便利两国民众往来，也极大地推动了旅游和经贸合作。

毛宁说，中老铁路带动了当地就业。铁路开行以来，累计招聘老挝员工3500多人，在物流、交通、商贸、旅游等行业间接增加就业岗位10万余个。得益于这条铁路，越来越多老挝山区的青年可以走出大山，拥抱世界。

毛宁说，中老铁路促进了贸易往来。通过铁路向中国出口的老挝、泰国货物高达326万吨，很多东盟国家的货物都搭上了这条黄金运输通道。如今，老挝的糯米、泰国的榴莲只需要3天时间就可以出现在中国消费者的餐桌上。“中老铁路也非常重视环境保护。在建设和运营过程中，始终把环保放在至关重要位置。”毛宁说，铁路对沿线6处自然文化保护区域进行绕避，不占用老挝国家级保护林，全线绿化总面积超过300万平方米，确保老挝的绿水青山一如从前。

“中老铁路是共建‘一带一路’的缩影。我们愿同地区国家一道，继续共享互联互通带来的机遇，实现共同发展、共同繁荣。”毛宁说。（中文稿件来源：新华社 外交部网站）