Mao Ning, spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said on the 25th that since the opening of the China Laos railway more than a year ago, both passengers and goods have flourished, driving local employment, promoting trade exchanges, and ensuring that Laos is as green as ever. China is willing to work with regional countries to continue sharing the opportunities brought by connectivity and achieve common development and prosperity. At the regular press conference on that day, a reporter asked: It is reported that as of May 23, the China Laos Railway has sent 16 million passengers in total. Some critics said that the China Laos railway has enhanced the trade and tourism links between the two countries and regions, but it remains to be seen whether the local people in Laos can actually benefit from it. May I ask if the spokesperson has any comments on this? "Since the opening of the China Laos Railway more than a year ago, both passengers and goods have really flourished." Mao Ning said that more than a month ago, the China Laos Railway opened a two-way international passenger train, which runs from Kunming to Vientiane day and night, further facilitating people to people exchanges between the two countries, and also greatly promoting tourism and economic and trade cooperation. Mao Ning said that the China Laos railway has driven local employment. Since the opening of the railway, more than 3500 Lao employees have been recruited, indirectly adding over 100000 job opportunities in industries such as logistics, transportation, commerce, and tourism. Thanks to this railway, more and more young people in the mountainous areas of Laos can step out of the mountains and embrace the world. Mao Ning said that the China Laos railway has promoted trade exchanges. The export of goods from Laos and Thailand to China through railways amounts to 3.26 million tons, and many goods from ASEAN countries have boarded this golden transportation channel. Nowadays, glutinous rice from Laos and durian from Thailand can appear on the dining table of Chinese consumers in just 3 days. "The China Laos Railway also attaches great importance to environmental protection. In the process of construction and operation, environmental protection is always the most important." Mao Ning said that the railway evades the six natural and cultural protection areas along the line, does not occupy the national protected forest in Laos, and the total green area of the whole line exceeds 3 million square meters, ensuring that Laos is as green as ever. "The China Laos railway is a microcosm of the joint construction of the the Belt and Road. We are willing to work with countries in the region to continue to share the opportunities brought by connectivity and achieve common development and prosperity," said Mao Ning. (New News Agency)