President of the Lao PDR, Choumaly Sayasone and Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks and pledged to further cement the all-around strategic partnership of cooperation between the two countries. The talks was held on Thursday the 26th of September in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing China.
President of the Lao PDR, Choumaly Sayasone, who is also secretary general of the Central Committee of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party or LPRP, pays an official visit to China from Thursday the 26th to Monday the 30th of September.
The president was accompanied by his wife, Office Head of the Party Central Committee Dr Bounpone Bouttanavong, ministers, deputy ministers and other officials
Followed an official welcome ceremony for the visiting President Choummaly outside the hall in the afternoon. Both leaders attended the talk where the two leaders described the current situation in their respective countries before discussing how best to enhance their relations, friendship and cooperation.
Chinese President Xi Jinping, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China or CPC Central Committee praised the achievements that the Lao people have made led by the LPRP, stressing the importance of party building. He said, China and Laos, as socialist countries and friendly neighbors, constitute a community that share the same destiny as well as extensive common interests. Adding that, Both China and Laos consider the bilateral relationship from a strategic and long-term perspective and give priority to the development of the relationship, no matter how the international situation changes. The Chinese President also advocated that the two sides deepen their inter-party exchanges and cooperation, especially on theoretical studies.
Echoing President Xi’s appraisal of the bilateral relationship and proposals to elevate the partnership, President Choummaly said the Lao party, government and people always regard China as a close and reliable friend and comrade. Hailing the deepening bilateral relationship and the fruitful cooperation between the two countries in trade, infrastructure, education, culture, defense and security, President Choummaly also thanked China for the long-lasting support and assistance and Laos hopes to work together with China to strengthen strategic communication, boost reciprocal cooperation, implement the consensus reached during this China visit and step up coordination in regional and international affairs to safeguard their common interests in pursuit of common development.
After the talks, the two leaders witnessed the signing of a series of cooperation deals. Since Laos and China established their comprehensive strategic partnership in 2009, their mutual trust has deepened, particularly in political affairs, and economic cooperation has seen progress as anticipated. China and Laos are friendly neighbours that share the same destiny as well as extensive common interests. The two sides agreed to enhance their mutual trust and assistance in both the bilateral and multilateral arenas for their shared benefit, and contribute to regional and global peace, friendship and cooperation in development.
It is also said that, China and Laos should expand their cooperation from traditional areas including inter-connectivity, energy and resources to new sectors, such as green agriculture and ecological tourism, and continue to enhance exchanges and cooperation on legislation, culture, education, public health, mass media, law enforcement, defense and security as well as communication and coordination on major issues concerning regional peace and stability.
Laos is part of the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations and China expects Laos to play an active role in consolidating China’s ties with the regional bloc.
Source: LNTV Lao News in English
