Construction workers shake hands to celebrate after line-connecting operation at the connection point of the Chinese and Lao sections of the China-Laos 500-kV power interconnection project on Feb. 5, 2026. The Chinese and Lao sections of the China-Laos 500-kV power interconnection project were physically connected on Thursday, marking a major step forward in putting the project into operation. (Xinhua/Peng Yikai)