China, Laos vow to keep railway project from graft

Chinese and Lao companies participating in a transnational railway project signed a pledge and took a collective vow against corruption December 20 at the friendship tunnel in southern Yunnan’s Mengla County, where a ceremony titled “clean railway project” was held.

The ceremony was also attended by high-ranking discipline officials from China and Laos, according to China Railway Group, the leading company involved in the project.

Li Shulei, deputy secretary of the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, said the China-Laos Railway is a landmark project within the framework of the Belt and Road initiative, and keeping the construction of the railway free from corruption is a shared responsibility for China and Laos, which will surly benefits both peoples.

Soukkhamphet Heuangbouthsy, vice president the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP) Central Inspection Committee, said that as signature of friendly cooperation between China and Laos, the railway will turn Laos from a “landlocked country” to a “land linked one", bringing great impetus to deepening the economic and trade cooperation between China and Laos.

He added the Lao side will strengthen Party discipline and inspection so as to ensure that operations of the project abide by rules and follow a code of conduct in work.

Wang Tongjun, deputy general manager of China Railway Group, said that anti-graft should be carried in the whole course running of the rail project; joint planning, inspection and evaluation should be suggested; and risk prevention and control mechanisms should be set forth.

The companies said they will draft specific measures to stamp out malpractice at every phase of the project, from procurement and construction to operation management. They will enhance the exchange of information and severely punish those found to take or offer bribes.

With a cost of 37.43 billion yuan (70 percent of it comes from Chinese investment and the rest 30 percent from Laos), work on the China-Laos railway began in December last year. The 414-km line is designed for trains running up to 160 km/h.

Initiating at Kunmingnan Railway Station, the railway winds southward through Yuxi, Pu’er and Xishuangbanna in China, and it also passes Muang Xay, Luang Prabang, Vang Viang, finally arrives in the Lao capital of Vientiane. 32 stations will be set along the route.

China-Laos railway is the first overseas route connecting with the railway system in China, using Chinese technology, equipment and investment. The railway is expected to open in 2021.

Source: Xinhua/ccdi.gov.cn