Cross-border tourism

Cross-border tourism produced by the railway has created many jobs in Laos, she said, adding flourishing business for hotels, restaurants and travel agencies has given a significant boost to local tourism and increased incomes for people.

"Experiencing the China-Laos Railway has become one of the most sought-after activities for Lao tourists," she said. "I hope to use my lens to help people from Laos understand China, and vice versa."

The similarities in the environments and cultures of Kunming and Vientiane add to the aura of their intimacy.

Since the China-Laos Railway's opening, the daily passenger traffic has risen from 20,000 to a peak of 100,000; the number of cross-border cargo trains running each day has risen from two to 18; and the number of countries and regions represented by inbound and outbound passengers has risen from just over 20 to more than 100.

Saonakhone Thongmixay, director of Chinese-language studies at the National University of Laos in Vientiane, said that in Laos the demand for those with Chinese-speaking skills has surged in recent years. The Ministry of Education and Sports of Laos has supported schools offering Chinese-language courses where possible.

In 2021, when the railway opened, the university had 60 students in its Chinese-language program — out of 2,953 applicants. The Chinese language has become the most popular subject among students registering for the university's bachelor's degree entrance exams, Thongmixay said.

Inthavong Phaphonepheng, 23, a Lao student at Kunming Railway Vocational and Technical College, said, "The average monthly income in Laos is $100 to $150, but if you speak Chinese your income can double."

The number of Lao students studying in Kunming continues to grow. Vannaphone said this year alone she helped more than 10 Lao students enroll at Kunming University and helped more than 30 Chinese students studying at the National University of Laos.

Yunnan is the destination of choice for young people in Laos who wish to study in China, said Tang Zhiying, deputy of the International School at Yunnan Minzu University in Kunming. Among full-time international students, Lao students account for a significant number and are one of the largest source countries.

Lao students tend to pursue international economics and trade, tourism management, and journalism and media, Tang said. After graduating, they generally work in industries related to China-Laos trade, tourism and education.

Huang Muxia, associate professor and Lao-language director in the School of Foreign Languages at Yunnan Minzu University, said: "With closer ties between the two countries, students' enthusiasm for learning the Lao language has increased. The employment rate for Lao-related jobs is high, and many Chinese graduates choose to develop their careers in Laos. The geographical advantage makes it natural for Yunnan to offer this undergraduate program."

Mandarin interest

Yunnan Minzu University was one of the first tertiary institutions in China to establish a Lao language and literature program, in 2003.

When Huang graduated in 2002, the Lao language was still a niche subject. Now 10 public universities in China offer Lao-language programs, training nearly 200 students a year. Six of these universities are in Yunnan, with three of them in Kunming.

Anouphab Tounalom, party secretary of Vientiane and president of the Vientiane People's Council, said education and language learning are becoming increasingly important in promoting economic, trade and tourism collaboration, as well as in deepening the friendship between the sister cities, he said.

Chinese-language training should not only benefit Lao government workers but also reach more young people in Laos, he said.

"We encourage more Lao people to learn Chinese and seize opportunities to pursue higher education in China. Language and education are the bridges that bring our two cities closer as good neighbors, good friends, good comrades and good partners."

The Mayor of Kunming, Liu Jiachen, said, "Kunming has historically been an open and inclusive city, as well as an important transportation hub connecting both domestic and international regions."

Kunming aims to work with all sides to promote friendship, deal with cross-border transportation problems and develop a multinational transportation network along with the Belt and Road Initiative, he said.

Last month, Kunming and Vientiane set up a 10-city alliance that aims to improve the international competitiveness of cities and provinces along the China-Laos Railway through better regional transportation connectivity and logistics.

"With the China-Laos Railway City Alliance and international sister-city exchanges as a basis, Kunming is committed to deepening collaboration in trade, cultural exchange, tourism, education and health, advancing sister-city partnerships," Liu said.