The China-Laos Railway has transported over 10 billion yuan ($1.45 billion) worth in international freight after nine month of being in operation, China Media Group's CCTV reported on Saturday, citing data from Kunming Customs.

The railway – which connects Kunming, the provincial capital of southwest China's Yunnan Province, with Lao capital Vientiane – began operations in December 2021.

The railway's route, in China alone, has covered 30 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities, serving more than 1,500 enterprises around the country.

The categories of goods have also grown: from fertilizers, rubber and general merchandise in the early days of operation to nearly 2,000 categories of goods, including electronics, photovoltaics, communications products and flowers.

Overseas, the route has expanded to eight countries including Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia through Laos.

As an important part of the trans-Asian railway network, the China-Laos Railway shortens traffic time, better connects Laos with other economies in the Belt and Road Initiative, as well as generates more jobs and attracts global investment to the Southeast Asian nation.