Full steam ahead for start of Laos-China railway

Hundreds of trucks carrying machinery and equipment for construction of the Laos-China railway have entered Laos after being delayed at the border, a senior government official has said. A special lane has now been allocated at China’s Mohan and Laos’ Boten border crossing to facilitate the passage of the trucks, the project coordinator in Luang Namtha province, Mr Chanthachone Keolakhone, told Vientiane Times on Friday. A taskforce team was created last week to man the special truck lane. It will inspect and approve the imported items, which are exempt from tariff payments. The team comprises officials from the customs, public works and transport sectors as well as representatives of the Laos-China Joint Railway Company and shipping company, Mr Chanthachone said.

Keep reading