China and Laos to deepen cooperation, share governance experience

China and Laos have agreed to deepen friendly and pragmatic cooperation and strengthen exchanges of governance experience.

The agreement came as Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Thursday held separate talks with Lao President Thongloun Sisoulith and senior officials, including Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone and Foreign Minister Saleumxay Kommasith, in Vientiane.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, told Thongloun that China appreciates the Lao side for always standing with China on issues concerning its core interests and major concerns and that China will continue to be the most reliable friend and partner of the Southeast Asian nation.

China will deepen all-round cooperation with Laos, including strengthening the comprehensive development of the China-Laos Railway to help build an engine for Laos' economic development, Wang added. 

The Chinese foreign minister also proposed that the two sides join hands to resolutely crack down on cross-border crimes, creating a good business environment for economic and trade cooperation.

The Lao president thanked China for providing valuable support for Laos' economic and social development over the years, saying that the Laos-China Railway has helped the Lao people realize their dreams and is a precious symbol of friendship between the people of the two countries.

Thongloun noted that Laos will never allow anyone to undermine its friendship and practical cooperation with China and stands ready to work with China to translate the consensus reached by the top leaders of the two countries into tangible results, pushing the Laos-China community with a shared future to a higher level.

The Lao side welcomes more Chinese enterprises to invest in Laos and help the country enhance its capacity for independent development, he said.

High-standard, high-quality and high-level collaboration and coordination 

During his meeting with Sonexay, Wang said the friendship between the two countries and parties enjoys a strong political foundation, internal impetus and public support.

Both sides should carry forward their traditional friendship, deepen their construction of a China-Laos community with a shared future, and achieve high-standard, high-quality and high-level collaboration and coordination, making their relationship one of the best among China's neighboring countries.

Wang elaborated on the significance of the third plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee and important measures announced at the meeting, saying China is willing to increase the exchange of governance experience with Laos to promote their respective modernization process.

The Lao prime minister said the session was a great encouragement for Laos' socialist construction, adding that the Lao side hoped to learn from China's experience.

Noting that this year marks the 15th anniversary of the establishment of the Laos-China comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership, Sonexay said the two countries have been working toward a high-standard, high-quality and high-level bilateral relationship.

The Laos-China Railway, said the prime minister, provided strong momentum for Laos to transform from a landlocked to a land-linked nation, adding that the country welcomes more capable Chinese enterprises to invest in Laos, helping to deepen regional interconnectivity and safeguard regional supply chain stability.

Sonexay further said the Lao side will speed up the establishment of juxtaposed border control, which would allow travelers to go through both exit and entry procedures at the same checkpoint at Laos-China border ports.

First-mover advantage

Talking with Saleumxay, Wang called on the two sides to give full play to the first-mover advantage based on the construction of the China-Laos Railway, build the China-Laos Economic Corridor and help Laos achieve economic revitalization.

China has always prioritized the development of China-Laos relations in its neighborhood diplomacy and supported Laos in taking the path of socialism, which suits its national conditions, and in promoting the cause of innovation and opening-up, Wang said.

The Chinese foreign minister said China will continue to provide all possible support for Laos's economic and social development, deepen practical cooperation in energy, minerals and other fields, and import more high-quality Lao agricultural products to benefit the Lao people.

Saleumxay, for his part, said the successful holding of the third plenary session of the 20th CPC central committee has provided valuable experience for the Lao People's Revolutionary Party to enhance its governing capacity.

He noted that the Lao side has implemented a visa-free policy for Chinese tourist groups and welcomes more Chinese visitors.

The two sides also exchanged views on regional cooperation, saying they will work together to resist the interference and infiltration of external forces, safeguard the Association of Southeast Asian Nations-centered regional architecture, and promote regional peace, stability and prosperity.

After the talks, they also witnessed the signing of documents on cooperation in education, medical care and other livelihood issues. 

(With input from Xinhua)