Southeast Asia Information Port News (www.dnyxxg.com) – On December 10, 2025, the 8th “Belt and Road Initiative: Colorful Yunnan” Car Rally SS4 Circuit Skills Competition was held in the Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone, Bokeo Province, Laos. As the final overseas event of this cross-border event involving China, Laos, and Thailand, this competition not only showcased speed and passion but also deepened regional friendship through sports, becoming a vivid example of multi-party connectivity under the “Belt and Road Initiative.”
This year’s rally, themed “Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between China and Thailand – Colorful Wheels Connect the Silk Road, Friendship Grows Together for Prosperity,” kicked off in Kunming on November 24. The teams traveled along the China-Laos Railway and the Lancang-Mekong River Basin, covering a distance of over 8,000 kilometers, aiming to promote cultural exchange and trade cooperation along the route.
On the morning of the event, 34 drivers from China and Laos competed together. The race, held on a closed circuit approximately 1.5 kilometers long, included five technically challenging sections: a 100-meter straight-line acceleration, an S-curve maneuver, a 200-meter straight-line acceleration, reverse parking, and cone maneuvering. The starting order was determined by a draw, with timed races. On the track, off-road vehicles roared, sprinting straightaways like lightning, navigating corners like fish, and reversing into parking spaces with precision and agility, eliciting continuous cheers from the crowd. Ultimately, Chinese car number 211 won the championship.
During the event, accompanied by officials from the Special Economic Zone Management Committee, the drivers visited iconic locations such as the Kapok Star Hotel, the International Style Street, and Chinatown, and enjoyed a local dinner. The blend of the Special Economic Zone's modern architecture and rich local culture left a deep impression. One driver from Yunnan remarked, "I previously thought this place was relatively underdeveloped, but I was surprised by the towering buildings and mature development. The Lao culture is also well-preserved. This trip is unforgettable."
The team has now set off again. This journey across mountains and rivers continues, with the wheels carrying the hopes of friendship and cooperation, heading towards a broader future.
