Meili and Pengcheng from Laos work at the Vang Vieng station along the China-Laos Railway. [Photo/ourjiangsu.com]

Two siblings from Laos, with the Chinese names Meili and Pengcheng, respectively, have contributed to the smooth functioning of the vital China-Laos Railway.

Meili serves as a passenger attendant at the Vang Vieng station and is responsible for guiding travelers through the ticketing and boarding processes, while Pengcheng, her younger brother, handles tasks related to train arrivals and departures.

The name Pengcheng is the ancient name of Chinese city Xuzhou in Jiangsu province, where the siblings pursued studies. Meili was part of the second group of international students to study at the Jiangsu Vocational Institute of Architectural Technology, pursuing a degree in electrical automation. Following in her footsteps, Pengcheng also came to China for his studies, joining the "China-Laos railway power supply and use technology" program at the same institution.

Meili at her graduation ceremony in 2019. [Photo/ourjiangsu.com]

Their supervisor, Wang Lin, manager at the Vang Vieng Station, holds their Chinese study experiences in high regard. He commended their effective communication skills and professional abilities, noting that Meili is now a team leader, while Pengcheng is also mentoring an apprentice.

The China-Laos Railway is a significant project under the Belt and Road Initiative, fostering connectivity and cooperation between China and Laos. Since its opening in December 2021, it has witnessed a substantial increase in passenger and freight traffic.

The railway has also played a pivotal role in boosting employment opportunities in Laos. With over 3,500 Laotian employees recruited directly, it has indirectly created over 100,000 jobs across various sectors, including logistics, transportation, trade, and tourism.