Deputy Prime Minister Prof Dr Kikeo Khaykhamphithoune speaks at the opening ceremony of the 2024 Asean-China Year of People-to-People Exchanges, which took place in China on Feb 2. - VT
VIENTIANE: The 2024 Asean-China Year of People-to-People Exchanges was launched in Fuzhou, Fujian province, China, on Feb 2 to foster closer links in fields such as culture, education, tourism and sport.
Deputy Prime Minister Prof Dr Kikeo Khaykhamphithoune speaks at the opening ceremony of the 2024 Asean-China Year of People-to-People Exchanges, which took place in China on Feb 2.
It is hoped the year-long campaign will strengthen mutual understanding between the peoples of Asean and China and enhance the Asean-China comprehensive strategic partnership, which the two sides initiated in 2021.
Speaking at the opening ceremony in Fuzhou, Laos’ Deputy Prime Minister Prof Dr Kikeo Khaykhamphithoune praised the concept of the Asean-China Year of People-to-People Exchanges, saying it was an important step in strengthening Asean-China relations and advancing the Asean-China comprehensive strategic partnership.
Prof Dr Kikeo said the opening ceremony and its associated activities were an important contribution to cultural cooperation between the peoples of Asean and China and to cooperation in other fields, as well as being a boost to economic recovery and tourism in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.
This year also sees Laos hosting the Asean Tourism Forum with the theme “Quality and Responsible Tourism - Sustaining Asean Future”, as part of the country’s chairmanship of Asean in 2024.
Laos has also designated 2024 as “Visit Laos Year” which will further help to promote mutual understanding between the peoples of Asean and China, the Deputy PM said.
On the same day, Prof Dr Kikeo met with top Chinese government officials, who expressed great appreciation for the friendly relations, stable and long-term comprehensive strategic partnership between Laos and China, including the cultural partnership between the two nations.
Lao and Chinese officials highlighted the strengthening of ties between Fujian province, China and Laos in multiple fields including tourism and bilateral cooperation in the regional and global arenas.
China also pledged to continue to support Laos in agreed areas of development, according to a report in the Pasaxon Daily newspaper. - Vientiane Times/ANN
