The China-Laos Railway has transported a total of 8.5 million passengers and 11.2 million tons of goods as of Saturday, since its launch on Dec. 3 a year ago, according to China State Railway Group.

The China-Laos Railway is a docking project between the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative and Laos' strategy to convert itself from a landlocked country to a land-linked hub.

China-manufactured Fuxing and Lancang bullet trains have greatly shortened the travel time between cities along the line. They are favored by the people of both countries and have become the first choice for travel.

On average, 42 passenger trains run along the section in China daily, with a maximum of 65, carrying a total of 7.2 million passengers since operation.

Six passenger trains run on the Laos section on average each day, with a maximum of 10, carrying a total of 1.3 million passengers since operation.

Over the past year, the monthly freight volume has increased 3.5 times against the first month, with the cumulative cross-border freight volume exceeding 1.9 million tons, four times the first month.

Customs has shortened clearance procedures for cargo to be delivered from Kunming to Vientiane within 26 hours.

The China-Laos Railway has played a positive role in promoting the China-Laos Economic Corridor since opening, said an insider of the China State Railway Group.