In early December, landlocked Laos took a quantum leap toward the nation's dream of becoming a land-linked hub thanks to the inauguration of the China-Laos Railway.
China-Europe freight train trips saw a steady increase in the first 11 months of the year, data from the top economic planner showed.
China's land ports of Manzhouli and Suifenhe on the China-Russia border have seen over 4,500 China-Europe freight trains this year, according to the China Railway Harbin Group Co., Ltd.
As the signature China-aided railway is declared operational on Friday, millions of Laos are celebrating as their dreams come true with opportunities created by the rail project.
The first train of the China-Laos Railway left Vientiane on Friday afternoon soon after the cross-border railway is officially put into operation.
Xinhua Global Tour