The Laos-China railway has launched its first direct cross-border service with a train named Lane Xang making a journey from Vientiane to Kunming in China. This marks an important historical event in the cooperation between the governments of Laos and China, as the railway is a strategic part of the Lao government’s plan to transform the landlocked country into a land link within the region, helping to fulfil the dreams and aspirations of the Lao people for greater regional integration. The railway was built as part of China’s ‘One Belt, One Road’ initiative, and the Lao government aims to turn it into an economic corridor that generates substantial income for Laos, helps to ease the current economic situation, and bring more foreign tourists to the country. The railway will also raise the profile of Laos in the international arena, by integrating passenger transport services with those of neighbouring countries and strengthening Laos’ tourism links with countries in the region and beyond. Following the lifting of Covid-related travel restrictions, countries around the world have set programmes in motion to revive their economies, especially by promoting tourism, with a particular focus on visitors from China, who have the greatest purchasing power.