President Xi: China-Laos ties at 'historical best'

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Chinese President Xi Jinping has said on Sunday China-Laos relations are at their "best time in history", in a meeting with Laos Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith, who will attend the first China International Import Expo opening Monday in Shanghai.

President Xi recalled his meeting with Laos President Bounnhang Vorachit, saying that the historical exchanges of visits between the two leaders of China and Laos within the half year have reached many consensuses on deepening comprehensive strategic cooperation and building a community of shared future with strategic importance.

He added that both countries should jointly implement fruitful results of visits.

Xi also emphasized that in the face of new situations and new challenges, China and Laos should maintain close strategic communication, increase close exchanges of experience in governing the parties and states, and promote practical cooperation.

The two countries should continue to promote the building of China-Laos economic corridor, ensuring the smooth progress of the construction of the China-Laos railway, he stressed.

Xi added the two sides should also strengthen cooperation in the areas of people's livelihood and disaster relief, jointly run the 2019 China-Laos Year of Tourism and carry out close cooperation under Lancang-Mekong Cooperation mechanisms.

Sisoulith expressed his happiness to visit China and attend the first China International Import Expo.

He said President Xi's visit to Laos last November is of great significance to promoting the development of relations between the two parties and the two countries.

Sisoulith added that Laos has immensely benefited from the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative and thanked China for its support and help to Laos.

Laos is willing to work with China to implement the important consensuses reached by the top leaders of the two parties and the two countries, consolidate unity and cooperation, strengthen coordination and deepen friendship of the two peoples to be good neighbors, good friends, good comrades and good partners, he added.