Luang Prabang train station along the Laos–China Railway. (Dominik Landwehr via Wikimedia)
On April 7, the customs authorities of Kunming city reported a record trade along the Laos-China Railway for the fourth quarter of 2026, rising 62.7% year‑on‑year to CN¥6.81 billion (US$992 million). Both countries are further strengthening trade integration through the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) projects that link Kunming in Southwest China to the Laotian capital of Vientiane.
The data suggest that there has been an increase of growth in exports of photovoltaic (PV) products and fruit imports, underscoring the importance and reliability of the railway’s role as a trade corridor linking Chinese-manufactured goods with Southeast Asian agricultural products.
Since beginning operations in December 2021, it has successfully facilitated CN¥80 billion (US$11.7 billion) in total trade. Today, the railway has been able to serve 6,000 companies across 19 countries and regions, including Laos and Thailand. The export data highlights that PV products accounted for over 1.19 billion yuan.
Other manufacturing products also experienced a similar trend with the flow of Chinese goods continuing to flow south. Meanwhile, imports of fresh and dried fruit totaled 500 million yuan, highlighting the growing role of agricultural products in supplying China through the railway, the customs highlighted.
What does this mean for business?
As this railway facilitates trade integration and product transport, the amount of goods traded between both countries have expanded from 500 categories at launch to more than 3,800. This surge underscores the growing role in logistics.
To further foster connectivity, the customs authorities have introduced streamlining procedures, cutting transport times and reducing operational costs.
Stretching 1,035km, the Laos-China economic corridor has played a pivotal role in strengthening China’s economic integration with Southeast Asia. As for Laos, the railway plays a critical role in the country’s development to increase export volume, attract investment, and position the country as a logistics hub.
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