Yangguang Jiarun Agricultural Development, a Chinese infrastructure company, secured a 50-year lease from the Laotian government to establish what it claims will be the world's largest durian plantation (5,000 hectares) in Attapeu province, near protected areas.

Local communities report they were not consulted before the land concession was granted and are concerned about losing access to forest food resources. The project has also raised serious environmental concerns, including deforestation and biodiversity loss, particularly given its proximity to conservation zones. Additionally, villagers have expressed worries about potential pollution from plantation operations.

Business & Human Rights Resource Centre could not reach the company for a comment.