Thongloun hailed the opening of the railway as the start of a dream for a modern railway in Laos, saying that the dream of the Lao people has finally come true.

"It is a moment to be proud of. More importantly, the opening of the railway is of monumental significance to further the traditional friendship between the two Parties, nations, and peoples and to comprehensive strategic cooperation," Thongloun said.

"We owe this to the Belt and Road Initiative proposed by General Secretary Xi," he said.

Laos stands ready to conduct even closer high-level exchanges with China, step up strategic communication and maximize the economic benefits from the railway, he said.

He added that China has always been a key pillar of global and regional peace and stability and always followed a foreign policy of peace and friendship, adding that Laos will firmly support China's righteous position on its core interests and the nation's successful hosting of the Winter Olympics.