Laos, the little socialist country that carries the title of the most bombed country in the world (by the US in the Vietnam War, during which they dropped about 260/270 million bombs on the region), with less than 7 million inhabitants, has just received its first bullet train, which arrived this Saturday in its capital Vientiane. The electric-powered, non-polluting train is part of the Chinese government’s Belt and Road initiative to develop the infrastructure of emerging countries and encourage the use of clean energy.

Previously, Laos had difficulties in trading with China and other Asian countries due to its extremely mountainous terrain. Now, a journey that used to take two days to the Chinese border will only take three hours, and Laotian citizens are looking forward to the country’s development from an isolated condition to an integrated nation.

The train will be officially opened on December 2 (which marks the founding anniversary of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic) and bears the colors of the country’s flag 🇱🇦. In addition, the train has been named Lane Xang. Laos was once called “The kingdom of Lane Xang”, which means (the kingdom of the millions of elephants). This is also the name of the upper part of the Mekong River in China, which symbolizes the China-Laos friendship as good neighbors, friends, comrades and partners ❤️

(hosted from Coletivo Planejamento Estatal)