Lancang-Mekong Cooperation: Lao people receive railway technology training in SW China

China and its southeast Asian neighbors have strengthened cooperation since the creation of the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation mechanism in 2015. Late last year, the China-Laos Railway kicked off and people from Laos are still being trained to run it. Yang Jinghao reports.

This is a class on railway technology at a vocational college in the city of Kunming. All of the 32 students are from neighboring Laos.

The China-Laos Railway opened in December. It links Kunming with the Lao capital Vientiane. Now Laos needs more specialists in this field.

YANG JINGHAO Kunming, Yunnan Province "This two-year training program is part of the larger infrastructure project. Upon completing the training, the students will become teachers at a similar vocational school in Laos."

The Language barrier is the biggest challenge. Interpreters play an active role in the teaching process.

VILAVONG Trainee from Laos "Despite difficulties, we all work very hard. We also have a Chinese language course given by a professional teacher. And the school has matched each of us with a Chinese peer to help us."

And teachers also try to come up with innovative approaches.

LI XIULING Teacher, Kunming Railway Vocational Technical College "There was no railway in Laos before, so there were no words describing railways in their language. This is a big problem. So I try to use as many pictures, videos and even animations to help them understand what I teach."

Apart from theoretical knowledge, there are also simulated training courses, where the students can learn essential skills in an efficient way. The college believes it will gain valuable experience in international exchanges through this program.

LI RUILIN President, Kunming Railway Vocational Technical College "When these trainees start to teach in Laos, we'll send our teachers over there to assist them for a five-year term. This program is like a seed. With it, the friendship between the two sides will also bloom."

In the seven months since the cross-border railway opened, it has transported more than five million tonnes of goods.

VILAIVONE Trainee from Laos "I hope China and Laos can further expand educational cooperation, especially on the cultivation of railway specialists, to guarantee the China-Laos Railway operates in a sustainable way and benefits more people."

The railway has made travel more convenient, and also created more business and job opportunities. YJH, CGTN, Kunming, Yunnan Province.

来 源：CGTN