China News Service, Beijing, December 3 (Reporter Liang Xiaohui) Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and President of the State, attended the China-Laos Railway with Lao People's Revolutionary Party Central Secretary and President Tong Lun in Beijing on the afternoon of December 3 Opening ceremony.

　　He Lifeng, vice chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and head of the National Development and Reform Commission, presided over the ceremony.

　　Relevant departments and local leaders of China and Laos, representatives of project builders, consuls-generals of relevant countries in Kunming, and envoys in Laos attended the ceremony at the branch venue of Kunming Station in China and Vientiane Station in Laos.

　　Lao Deputy Prime Minister Song Sai and the head of China National Railway Group reported to the two heads of state on the preparations for opening to traffic.

　　The two heads of state delivered speeches respectively.

　　On behalf of the Communist Party of China, the Chinese government and the Chinese people, Xi Jinping expressed warm congratulations on the opening of the China-Laos Railway and paid high respects to the builders of the two countries.

　　Xi Jinping pointed out that in 2015, together with Lao leaders, I made a major decision to jointly build the China-Laos railway.

In the five years since the start of construction, China and Laos have worked together and cooperated closely to open up roads in the mountains, build bridges in the mountains, complete the construction tasks with high level and high quality, and interpret the profound connotation of the spirit of the community of shared future between China and Laos with practical actions, and demonstrate the socialism of the two countries. The system has the special advantage of concentrating its power to do big things.

　　Xi Jinping pointed out that the China-Laos railway is a flagship project of mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries.

Once the railway was opened, Kunming to Vientiane was no longer high and the road no longer long.

The two sides must make persistent efforts, do good work, maintain and operate the railway, develop and construct the railway along the line, and create a golden line for the benefit of the people of the two countries.

　　Xi Jinping emphasized that the China-Laos railway is a landmark project for the high-quality joint construction of the “Belt and Road”.

In recent years, with the goal of high standards, sustainability and benefits for the people’s livelihood, China has continuously improved the level of co-construction of the “Belt and Road”, achieved mutual benefit and win-win cooperation in building a country, and opened up new space for world economic development.

China is willing to work with Laos and other countries along the route to accelerate the forging of a closer “Belt and Road” partnership and jointly promote the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.

　　Xi Jinping emphasized that a few days ago, I received a joint letter from several Lao students who had studied railways in Shanghai, China.

They unanimously expressed that they want to contribute the skills learned in China to the operation and development of the China-Laos Railway. I am very happy about this.

The future of China-Laos friendship lies in the youth, and the foundation of interconnection lies in heart-to-heart communication.

China is willing to cultivate more talents for the road of friendship between China and Laos.

　　Thong Lun said that today is a proud moment, and the people of all ethnic groups in Laos have finally come true.

Thanks to China's strong support, Laos finally bid farewell to the era of no trains and now has modern railways.

The Laos-China Railway is the link between the Laos "land-locked country" and "land-linked country" strategy to deeply connect with the "Belt and Road" initiative. It is an important milestone in Laos' modern infrastructure construction and will greatly promote the economic and social development of Laos.

With the attention and care of the leaders of the two countries and the strong support of all parties, the two sides have overcome many challenges and difficulties such as the epidemic, and successfully completed and opened to traffic on schedule. This is a precious gift for the people of all ethnic groups in Laos to welcome the 46th anniversary of the founding of the country and celebrate the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Laos and China. The grand joyous event of Laos is a vivid portrayal of the Laos-China spirit of "good neighbors, good friends, good comrades, and good partners" and Laos-China community of shared future. It is also a great symbol of the friendly relations between the two parties, the two countries, and the two peoples. Inject new and important connotations into the relationship between the two parties and the two countries of Laos and China.

Laos is willing to work with China to maintain and operate the Laos-China Railway, bring more benefits to the people of the two countries and the region, and contribute to the promotion of regional connectivity, development and prosperity.

I wish China continue to create new brilliance!

I wish the friendly and cooperative relations between Laos and China last forever!

　　The train driver at Vientiane Station reported: The departure is ready, please give instructions from Chairman Tonglun.

　　Tonglun issued an order: "Start!"

　　The train driver at Kunming Station reported: Preparations for departure are complete, please give instructions from Chairman Xi.

　　Xi Jinping issued an order: "Start!"

　　The Chinese passenger train C3 departs at Kunming Station and the Laofang passenger train C82 departs at the Vientiane Station at the same time.

　　The opening ceremony was successfully concluded in the "Song of Friendship between the People of China and Laos".

　　Ding Xuexiang and Liu He attended the above-mentioned activities.

Lao Prime Minister Pankhan, National Vice President Bani, and Deputy Prime Minister Ji Qiao attended the Vientiane Station.

　　The China-Laos Railway starts from Kunming, Yunnan, China in the north, and reaches Vientiane, the capital of Laos in the south.

After opening to traffic, Kunming can reach Vientiane within 10 hours.

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