Professor Dr Phouphet Kyophilavong addresses the opening session of the Lao Social Science Research Forum in Vientiane.

Laos-China railway boosts Laos’ role as regional connectivity hub

More than 73 million passengers and over 54 million tonnes of cargo have been transported via the Laos-China Railway since it began operations, highlighting the growing role of the railway in transforming Laos into a regional land link.
The figures were cited by the Vice President of the National University of Laos (NUOL), Professor Dr Phouphet Kyophilavong, at the second Lao Social Science Research Forum in Vientiane on Monday.
Held under the theme “The New Southeast Asia Land Bridge: Connectivity between Laos and the Lancang Mekong Region”, the two-day forum brings together scholars, researchers and other representatives from Laos, China and other Lancang-Mekong countries to examine how improved connectivity can bolster regional development.
Professor Phouphet said the railway, which is now in its fifth year of operation, has had a transformative impact on the country’s economy and people.
The railway has boosted cross-border tourism and people-to-people links while helping to reduce logistics costs and unlock trade potential, he said.
It has strengthened Laos’ position as a regional logistics and energy corridor, demonstrating how improved infrastructure can help Laos overcome the constraints of being landlocked.
“A central pillar of this development strategy is transforming Laos from a landlocked country into a dynamic land-linked hub,” Dr Phouphet said.
He described stronger integration with the Lancang-Mekong region and the country’s partnership with China as important drivers of mutual growth and regional prosperity.
The push for greater connectivity comes as Laos prepares to graduate from Least Developed Country (LDC) status this year, making the effective use of infrastructure, economic integration and knowledge-based development increasingly important.
Dr Phouphet said the forum was more than a conventional academic gathering, with research and policy recommendations expected to contribute to national development and ensure a smooth transition out of LDC status.
The forum is examining how the benefits of the railway can be maximised, alongside issues concerning energy infrastructure, connectivity and sustainable development.
Participants are also discussing cross-border ethnic and cultural cooperation and the localisation of overseas enterprises and their contribution to regional modernisation.
The discussions are based on a broader vision of a new Southeast Asian land bridge linking southwest China with the five Lancang-Mekong countries, with Laos positioned at the centre of this emerging regional network.
Professor Phouphet said the forum carries particular significance as Laos and China celebrate the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations and NUOL marks the 30th anniversary of its establishment this year.
He said the two countries have maintained close relations over many decades and continue to advance the vision of a China-Laos Community with a Shared Future.
The second forum builds on last year’s inaugural event, which brought together more than 100 participants and featured 21 panel presentations focusing on issues including poverty reduction and infrastructure development.
This week’s forum is attended by representatives of the Lao-Chinese Chamber of Commerce, the Research School of Southeast Asian Studies at Xiamen University, NUOL and other academic institutions.
Among the participants are the Chairman of the Lao Chinese Chamber of Commerce Yao Bin, Professor Shen Yanqing of Xiamen University, Professor Dr Mao Weizhun of Nanjing University, Professor Liu Jingjing of the Yunnan Academy of Social Sciences, and Vice Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences at NUOL, Associate Professor Dr Saychai Syladeth.

By Bounfaeng Phaymanivong
 (Latest Update October 6, 2026)