VIENTIANE: Laos and China signed 32 cooperation agreements to bolster the building of an all-weather China-Laos community with a shared future in the new era, which both sides agreed on following talks between Presidents Thongloun Sisoulith and Xi Jinping in Beijing on Friday (June 5).
President Thongloun, who is also Secretary General of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party Central Committee, led a high-level delegation on a state visit to China at the invitation of President Xi, who is also General Secretary of the Communist Party of China’s Central Committee.
The agreements cover a wide range of areas, including cooperation between the two Parties, and collaboration across economic and trade matters, finance, investment, energy, agriculture, culture, and human resource development.
The two leaders witnessed the signing of the pacts following their talks, the Lao Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.
The two sides issued the Joint Statement on Building an All-Weather Laos-China Community with a Shared Future in the New Era, which was identified as the main outcome of President Thongloun’s state visit to China.
At the talks, President Xi emphasised that China always regards Laos as important in its neighbourhood diplomacy, and Beijing is willing to work with Vientiane to achieve a new leap in bilateral ties and build an all-weather China-Laos community with a shared future in the new era, according to Xinhua.
Laos fully agrees with China and supports the upgrading of bilateral ties, and stands ready to work with China to consolidate high-level mutual political trust, President Thongloun was quoted as saying.
President Xi made four points to advance bilateral ties – keeping to the socialist path, building a strong foundation for mutually beneficial cooperation, strengthening the traditional friendship between the two peoples, and improving coordination on foreign policies.
The two sides should jointly safeguard the socialist system and the ruling status of the Communist Party, and deepen exchanges of experience in party and state governance, he said.
The Chinese leader called on the two sides to take the establishment of the “3+3” strategic dialogue on diplomacy, defence and public security as an opportunity to deepen law enforcement and security cooperation, and resolutely crack down on cross-border crimes.
Regarding China-Laos Economic Corridor cooperation, President Xi said the two sides should accelerate railway connectivity among China, Laos and Thailand, and achieve greater regional connectivity at an early date.
China and Laos should boost cooperation in traditional areas such as agriculture and electricity, and tap into emerging fields like artificial intelligence and the digital economy, President Xi said, adding that China will continue to provide assistance to Laos within its capacity.
The Chinese leader added that the two countries should use the Year of China-Laos Friendship in 2026 as an opportunity to expand cooperation in culture, education, health, and at the subnational levels.
He expressed willingness to work with Laos on talent training programmes and launch more “small and beautiful” livelihood projects, according to Xinhua.
President Thongloun reaffirmed Laos’ commitment to further strengthen bilateral relations and deepen cooperation across all sectors for the mutual benefit of both peoples, the Lao Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.
He expressed his appreciation to President Xi for the warm hospitality extended to the Lao delegation.
This is President Thongloun’s first official overseas visit since his re-election as Secretary General and Lao president, and it also coincides with the 65th anniversary of bilateral ties and the Year of Laos-China Friendship.
The Lao leader expressed gratitude for China’s longstanding support to Laos, both during the country’s struggle for national liberation and in its current efforts to safeguard and develop the nation.
President Thongloun invited President Xi to make a state visit to Laos. He accepted the invitation and expressed his intention to visit at a mutually convenient time. - Vientiane Times/ANN
