Road Connectivity Promotes People-to-People Understanding

By Guo Xixian

Phakhansith Phomchaleun,consul of Consulate General of Lao People’s Democratic Republic in Shanghai

Laos,a friendly neighbor of China,has been actively promoting the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).In recent years,China and Laos have achieved fruitful results in jointly building a community of shared future by strengthening economic and trade cooperation.Since the China-Laos Railway opened to traffic in 2021,it has been serving as a “golden route” for regional connectivity with cross-border freight capacity and positive spillover effects being continuously enhanced to promote economic and trade cooperation and cultural exchanges between China and Laos as well as ASEAN countries.

Phakhansith Phomchaleun,consul of Consulate General of Lao People’s Democratic Republic in Shanghai,recently sat down for an interview with China Report ASEAN.

China Report ASEAN: The year 2024 is the China-ASEAN Year of People-to-People Exchanges.How do you suggest China and Laos seize the opportunity to deepen cultural exchange and cooperation?

Phomchaleun:I just attended the Asian Youth Music Festival held in Nanjing,and it was a very good platform for young people to engage in cultural exchange and develop mutual understanding.This festival featured musicians and singers from many Asian countries including China and Vietnam.I hope that Lao musicians and singers will be able to attend next year because the activity provides a stage for the young generation to showcase the art and culture of their own country.

Over the years,China and ASEAN have accumulated rich experience in people-to-people exchanges.The year 2024 will be very special for Laos because we will hold the ASEAN Summit in Vientiane,the capital of Laos.We hope that Laos and other member countries will organize various events and festivals for everyone in Asia and other continents to promote people-to-people understanding to strengthen ties and deepen cooperation in many areas.

China Report ASEAN: What is the role of BRI in promoting China-Laos relations? As a landmark project of the BRI,how is the China-Laos Railway influencing the two countries’cooperation?

Phomchaleun:This year is very special for China and other BRI countries because it marks the 10th anniversary of the BRI.In my opinion,the initiative benefits BRI members a lot because China is assisting neighboring countries to build infrastructure including railways,expressways,and more.It is really beneficial for developing countries.Once again,I’d like to congratulate China for promoting such a good initiative.

We also feel that China’s BRI has brought a lot of benefits to Laos.A good example is China-Laos Railway which began operation at the end of 2021.The railway makes the trip from northern Laos to the capital city of Vientiane much faster and more convenient.Lao people are now getting around more easily and the cost is much lower than before.And it’s also very convenient for ASEAN countries to transport products from a neighboring country to China.

As you know,Laos is a landlocked country.But China’s BRI has helped Laos transform into a land-linked country,which has contributed greatly to the country’s social development.The BRI,and the crossborder railway in particular,are further deepening the cooperation between Laos and China.