国内英语新闻:Chinese top political advisor inspects construction of China-Laos railway

VIENTIANE, Nov. 18 (Xinhua) -- Chinese top political advisor Wang Yang on Monday inspected the construction of the China-Laos Railway at ancient Lao capital Luang Prabang, some 220 km north of Vientiane.

Wang, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, inspected the construction of a major bridge crossing the Mekong River, which is an important node of the 414.3-km railway.

He was also briefed on the construction of the China-Laos Railway, met with representatives from the company that constructs the railway and delivered a speech.

On behalf of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the Chinese people, Wang expressed warm greetings to the staff participating in the construction of the China-Laos Railway and sent his heartfelt thanks to those who cared and supported the construction of the railway.

Wang said the railway is a major project of the China-Laos Economic Corridor and an important platform and carrier of the implementation on building a community with a shared future for China and Laos.

Hailing the railway's important significance in improving Laos' infrastructure and boosting local economic and social development, Wang said top leaders of the two countries have attached great importance to the railway and have made explicit requirements of the construction on different occasions.

Wang called on builders of the railway to note the importance of the railway from the overall and strategic height, uphold the principle of quality and safety first, enhance project management, fulfill social responsibilities and work on to build a model, competitive and clean project, so as to contribute to the China-Laos friendship.

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

The railway, with 198-km tunnels and 62-km bridges, will run from Boten border gate in northern Laos, bordering China, to Vientiane with an operating speed of 160 km per hour.

The project started in December 2016 and is scheduled to be completed and opened to traffic in December 2021.