VIENTIANE: The governments of Laos and China have agreed to improve infrastructure and demarcation along their shared border, with the signing of an agreement in Beijing last week.
The agreement concerns the certification of survey results along key sections of the border near the Boten-Mohan international checkpoint, as both countries seek to improve efficiency in cross-border trade, transport and people-to-people links.
Consensus around border demarcation, with considerable progress already being made, was reached during a meeting of the Laos-China Joint Border Committee held in Beijing from April 21-24.
The meeting was co-chaired by the Head of the National Border Committee Office of the Lao Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Anousine Khattiyalath, and Counsellor at China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Department of Boundary and Ocean Affairs, Zhang Yishi.
Officials reviewed the follow-up of decisions made at the previous meeting, as well as existing agreements on border management, border checkpoints, and related regulations, signed in 2011.
Meeting participants noted that border areas had remained “peaceful and orderly” over the past year, contributing to progress in building a Laos-China community with a shared future under the “Four Goods” principles — good neighbours, good friends, good comrades and good partners.
The two governments agreed to strengthen coordination on border management through regular meetings and joint patrols, and to enhance awareness of the law among communities living in border areas.
They also pledged to step up efforts to prevent and combat cross-border crime, including illegal entry and exit, human trafficking, drug trafficking, smuggling of other goods, cybercrime, and the illegal arms trade.
In addition, they agreed to improve border infrastructure to enable more efficient trade, transport, and people-to-people links.
The two countries have seen rapidly expanding economic ties, with bilateral trade rising to nearly US$10 billion in 2025, up almost 20 percent year-on-year, while China remained Laos’ largest foreign investor with cumulative investment exceeding US$18 billion.
The figures were cited at an event in Vientiane last week to mark the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations and Laos-China Friendship Year 2026.
During their visit to Beijing, Lao officials held discussions with their Chinese counterparts on the establishment of a “single-window, single-stop” inspection system at the Boten-Mohan border crossing, aimed at streamlining customs clearance and improving overall efficiency.
Once operational, the system is expected to ease cross-border passage and facilitate trade between Laos and China. - Vientiane Times/ANN
