China-Laos Railway Records Solid Trade Growth

Kunming (ANTARA) - The China-Laos Railway has recorded solid growth in cross-border cargo trade, with its value in the first quarter (Q1) of 2026 surging 62.7% year-on-year to 6.81 billion yuan (1 yuan = Rp2,491) or approximately 992 million USD (1 USD = Rp17,009), marking the highest on record for the period.

From January to March 2026, the export value of photovoltaic products increased 43.2 times year-on-year to 1.19 billion yuan. Meanwhile, the import value of fresh and dried fruits doubled to 500 million yuan, according to Kunming Customs in Yunnan, a southwestern Chinese border province.

Customs authorities revealed that the railway line has evolved into an efficient two-way corridor for “Chinese manufactured goods moving south and distinctive Southeast Asian products heading north”.

Since its launch, the total import and export value via the railway has surpassed 80 billion yuan as of Tuesday (7/4).

The railway now serves more than 6,000 companies across China, with its trade influence reaching 19 countries and regions, including Laos and Thailand. The variety of traded goods has grown from around 500 categories at the start of operations to over 3,800.

Kunming Customs has implemented various measures to facilitate border trade along the railway.

The China-Laos Railway, a flagship high-quality Belt and Road cooperation project, began operations in December 2021. The 1,035-kilometre railway connects Kunming in China with Vientiane in Laos.