VIENTIANE -- China's "Belt and Road" initiative plays a great role in promoting Laos' socio-economic development, helping turn the land-locked country into a "land- linked country," a Lao official said.
"Lao transport infrastructure, including road, water, air and railway, are lagging behind other countries. There are still many problems needed to be solved," Lattanamany Khounnyvong, Lao Vice Minister of Public Works and Transport and team leader of Laos- China railway project working group, said in an interview with Xinhua.
Laos is seeking to be removed from a list of the least developed countries by 2020 and lay the foundations for industrialization and modernization, Lattanamany said. "The development of transport infrastructure is among the key for Laos to realize the targets. It is also a major issue in the country's national development."
According to the official, the Lao government has unveiled a plan of transforming Laos from a "land-locked country" to a "land- linked country" which was inspired by China's initiative in transport connectivity.
Following the promotion of the "Belt and Road" initiative as well as preparation for the construction of China-Laos railway,the plan has since been upgraded to a national strategy designed to change geographical disadvantages into advantages, he said.
The initiative of the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinpingin 2013, is aimed at reviving the ancient trade routes that span Asia, Africa and Europe.
"China's 'Belt and Road' initiative is expected to stimulate the economic integration among countries. I totally support the initiative as good transport infrastructure and transport connectivity with other countries are the key to national development," said Lattanamany.
"Lao people hope that the China-Laos railway can be soon constructed, contributing to better facilitating travel and business."
China and Laos agreed last year to speed up talks on the building of a railway that links Kunming, provincial capital of China's southwestern Yunnan province with the Lao capital of Vientiane. The planned cross-border line will join a medium-speed railway which China will help construct in Thailand.
Via Laos, China will stay connected with other countries in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) while Laos could attract more foreign investment and tourists, the official said.
