Laos, China agree to deepen relations

Laos, China agree to deepen relations

Laos and China have pledged to take their comprehensive strategic and cooperative partnership to new heights, according to a joint statement from the two countries.

The joint statement was issued following an official ‘goodwill' visit to China by President Choummaly Sayasone from September 26 to 30.

Mr Choummaly, who is also Secretary General of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP), was invited on the visit by Chinese President Mr Xi Jinping, who is also Secretary General of the Communist Party of China (CPC).

According to the statement, the two leaders held in-depth discussions on a wide range of issues of mutual interest and reached a consensus to deepen friendly relations and cooperation.

Both sides agreed to maintain regular contact and visits between the leaders of the two parties and states in order to exchange views on shared issues in a timely manner.

They also agreed to increase cooperation between the two countries' legislative bodies and the People's Political Council of China and the Lao Front for National Construction, the joint statement said.

As part of efforts to promote the traditionally strong friendship between the neighbouring countries, the two leaders will promote cooperation between the two Parties in relation to Party building and the socialist cause.

The two leaders agreed to take the overall cooperation between China and Laos into a more concrete development stage, focusing on the 10 priority areas of infrastructure, agriculture, natural resource processing, energy, mines, tourism, poverty reduction, telecommunications, small and medium sized enterprises, and human resources.

Cooperation will also be boosted in national defence, justice, law enforcement, education, health and sports.

Both sides pledged to work together through various multilateral frameworks including China-Asean and Asean Plus Three.

The CPC and the Chinese government and people are consistent in their long-standing support of the LPRP and the Lao government and people in building socialism and carrying out their renovation policy.

The LPRP and Lao government have also given long-standing support to the ‘one China policy' and the Chinese people under the CPC central committee's push towards a Chinese-characterised socialist direction.

During the visit, both sides signed an Action Plan on a comprehensive strategic and cooperative partnership as well as a number of cooperation documents on economics and methodologies.

Mr Xi accepted President Choummaly's invitation to visit Laos.

By Times Reporters 
(Latest Update October 01, 2013)