Viyaket said the Laos-China Railway is the flagship of the strategic collaboration between the two countries in the new era. She said Laos is willing to cooperate with China in making full use of the "golden corridor" to provide greater convenience as well as opportunities for people-to-people exchanges and economic and trade cooperation between Laos and China.

Viyaket said she hopes both sides can make greater contributions to improving connectivity in the region and driving social and economic development.

Zhang Sheping, consul-general of the Chinese Consulate General in Luang Prabang, who attended a local ceremony to mark the occasion on Saturday, said the China-Laos Railway has seen a boom in passenger and freight traffic since its opening, with both passenger trips and freight tonnage having exceeded 30 million. The railway has greatly facilitated personnel exchanges between the two countries and regions in the past year.

Zhang said he hopes that, with the latest pair of trains serving Xishuangbanna and Luang Prabang, and through the joint efforts of both sides, this "golden corridor" will become even more beneficial.

Representatives from China and Laos at the ceremony greeted the first group of passengers arriving at Luang Prabang and placed garlands them. They also showered the passengers with blessings by sprinkling water and presenting souvenirs, and took photos with them, sending the China-Laos Railway's best wishes and hailing China-Laos friendship.

David Song, a Chinese citizen operating a hospital in Laos, said that the China-Laos Railway benefited him a lot as he traveled several times on it within one year.

So far, up to 738 international passenger trains have used the railway, facilitating the smooth entry and exit of 183,000 passengers, according to officials at the Mohan checkpoint on the Chinese border with Laos in southwestern Yunnan.

Xinhua contributed to this story.