It's full speed ahead as a new railway connecting China and Laos begins operation.
随着一条连接中国和老挝的新铁路正式通车运营,一切都在全速前进。
Leaders of both countries watched via video Friday's launch ceremony, in what's called a historic project.
中老两国领导人通过视频观看了于本周五举行的通车仪式,该铁路也被称为“一个历史性的项目”。
Xu Xinchen has this report from Kunming, where the line begins in China.
下面是徐新晨从该线路在中国的始发站昆明发回的报道。
Over 700 passengers are on board the first train.
首发列车共载客700多名。
The 1,035-kilometer-long rail is the first cross-border line built entirely with Chinese technology and equipment.
这条全长1035公里的铁路,是第一条全部采用中国技术和设备建设的跨境铁路。
State leaders from China and Laos watched, via video, as the train moved away from the platform.
通过视频,中老两国国家领导人观看了列车驶离站台。
Chinese President Xi Jinping congratulated the success of the Belt and Road project, reiterating the core of the initiative -- creating a shared future for mankind.
中国国家主席习近平对“一带一路”取得成功表示了祝贺,并重申了“一带一路”的核心--构建人类命运共同体。
For his part, Lao President Thongloun Sisoulith spoke of the opportunities that lie ahead for the landlocked country.
老挝总统通伦·西苏里则谈到了这个内陆国家面前的机遇。
The project has also been hailed a symbol of bilateral cooperation.
这一项目也被誉为双边合作的象征。
China's home-grown tech powers the express trains, while more than 700 million U.S. dollars' worth of Laotian materials and supplies were used for construction.
中国自主研发的技术驱动了该高速列车,而价值超过7亿美元的材料和物资,则由老挝提供用于建设。
Laos says it's also created some 110,000 jobs. Apart from this, it's also expected to upgrade trade opportunities for Laos, as well as tourism.
老挝方面表示,该铁路还创造了大约11万个就业机会。除此之外,还有望提升老挝的贸易机会和旅游业。
The ambition for this specific route is to one day reach Thailand and Malaysia.
中老铁路这一特定路线的目标是在未来与泰国和马来西亚连通。