An international cargo train of China-Laos Railway is pictured at Wangjiaying West Station in Kunming, southwest China's Yunnan Province, on Jan. 2, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

The China-Laos Railway handled more than 2.48 million tonnes of import and export cargo valued at over 10 billion yuan (about 1.4 billion U.S. dollars) from January to May this year, customs data showed on Thursday.

Both freight volume and value saw significant growth in this period, with a 7.9-percent year-on-year increase in volume and a 33.2-percent surge in value. In May alone, this railway transported 512,000 tonnes of goods worth 3.76 billion yuan -- setting a monthly record high since its opening in December 2021.

Following its launch, the railway has experienced robust growth in cargo transport. As of May 22, total freight volume had surpassed 60 million tonnes, with cross-border shipments exceeding 13.9 million tonnes.

The range of goods transported has expanded dramatically from just over 10 types initially to more than 3,000. These goods include electronics, photovoltaic products, communication equipment, automobiles, agricultural products, industrial goods and daily necessities.