Putin: Russia and Laos to Pursue Railway Link via China

Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced plans to build a railway passing through Laos and China.

According to TASS and other local media on the 31st (local time), President Putin made this statement during a press conference following a summit with Lao President Thongloun Sisoulith at the Kremlin in Moscow. He noted that freight transportation between the two countries has recently increased.

Vladimir Putin, President of Russia. Photo by TASS Yonhap News

President Putin said, "As the volume of freight transportation between our countries increases, we are working to expand maritime container transport from Laos to Vladivostok via Vietnamese ports. There are also plans to establish a railway connection passing through our friendly country, China."

He also mentioned the expansion of energy cooperation. President Putin stated, "The agreement signed during the summit on the peaceful use of nuclear energy has opened the way to provide Laos with affordable and environmentally safe energy for its economy."

President Sisoulith described his visit to Russia as an important milestone in strengthening the friendly relationship between the two countries. He expressed hope that cooperation, including a strategic partnership in security, will continue to develop. He also said he hopes the next meeting with President Putin will take place in Laos. President Sisoulith has visited Russia frequently, including attending the Victory Day military parade in May last year and this year, as well as the BRICS summit in October last year.

Meanwhile, President Putin signed a bill imposing fines for searching for extremist materials on the internet and advertising virtual private network (VPN) services. Another bill was passed imposing fines of 20,000 to 30,000 rubles (approximately 350,000 to 520,000 won) on civilians who disclose state secrets to the media, and 50,000 to 100,000 rubles (approximately 870,000 to 1,740,000 won) on public officials.