BEIJING, SEPTEMBER 2025 — The China–Laos Railway has quickly emerged as a backbone for regional trade, with durian exports setting new records this year. By late August, the rail link had carried more than 150,000 tonnes of durian into China — a figure that represents a 91% increase compared to last year.

The route’s flagship service, the Lancang-Mekong Express, now connects Vientiane in Laos to Kunming in southwest China in just 26 hours, offering exporters a faster and more reliable alternative to road or sea transport. For producers across Southeast Asia, the railway has become a game-changer, with quicker delivery ensuring fresher fruit, lower damage rates, and reduced shipping costs that strengthen their competitiveness in China’s booming durian market.

Since beginning operations on December 3, 2021, the China–Laos Railway has transported more than 60 million tonnes of cargo covering over 3,000 categories of goods. Rising demand for durian, valued at nearly US$7 billion in imports last year, highlights the fruit’s role as a key driver of cross-border trade.

The success of the China–Laos Railway in facilitating durian exports underscores its growing strategic importance in connecting China with ASEAN nations, turning Laos into a crucial transit hub and enhancing regional supply chains for the future.

Source: VnExpress International