Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi Wednesday urged China and the Laos to accelerate the development of the China-Laos Economic Corridor and to give new impetus to high-quality cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

Wang made the remarks when holding a video meeting with his Lao counterpart Saleumxay Kommasith.

Noting China is fostering a new development paradigm, the Chinese foreign minister pointed out it would provide the Laos with more development opportunities.

He called for ensuring the construction of China-Laos railway project completed on schedule and building flagship cooperation projects.

China is willing to continue to strengthen cooperation with the Lao side in the fight against COVID-19 and offer assistance to the Laos, including vaccines, Wang added.

China and the Laos are socialist comrades and brothers, Wang pointed out, adding that this year has cross-era significance for both countries.

"The Chinese side will celebrate the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and embark on a new journey to fully build a modern socialist country. The Lao side celebrates the 35th anniversary of the New Economic Mechanism and realized a smooth transition of party and government leadership."

This year also marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the Laos and the China-Laos Friendship Year, which ushers in new development opportunities for both sides, Wang noted.

He added China is willing to work with the Lao side to implement the important consensus between the two leaders, strengthen strategic communication, deepen solidarity and cooperation to solidly promote the building of a community with a shared future.

Wang also called for injecting new momentum into the China-Lao comprehensive strategic partnership, and make new contributions to the common cause of friendship between the two countries.

For his part, Saleumxay expressed his gratitude to China for providing valuable support and selfless help to his country's economic and social development, especially in coping with the pandemic.

The Lao Party and government value the traditional friendship between the Laos and China and bilateral friendship is of decisive significance to the future fate of the Lao socialist cause, he said.

Saleumxay added that the Lao side will make the development of relations with China a priority.

The two sides Wednesday announced the launch of a series of campaigns to celebrate the China-Laos Friendship Year.

The two sides agreed to take the 30th anniversary of China-ASEAN dialogue relations as an opportunity to promote China-ASEAN cooperation to a new level, and work for an early entry into force of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, promote the establishment of the China-ASEAN partnership on blue economy, and further promote Lancang-Mekong Cooperation.