Top adviser visits Laos to enhance ties

Wang Yang says China values high-level exchanges to deepen trust, spur projects

VIENTIANE - China's top political adviser Wang Yang has paid a visit to Laos during which he called for the implementation of a consensus reached by the leaders of the two neighbors to further enhance bilateral relations.

During his four-day stay, which began on Saturday, Wang, the chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, met with the General Secretary of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party Central Committee and Lao President, Bounnhang Vorachit; Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith; and President of the National Assembly Pany Yathotou. Wang also held talks with the President of the Lao Front for National Construction, Xaysomphone Phomvihane.

When meeting with Bounnhang, Wang said the top leaders of the two parties and two countries signed an action plan in April on building a community with a shared future for China and Laos, providing important guidance for the future development of bilateral relations.

He said China is ready to work with Laos to enhance strategic communication on major bilateral issues, promote the synergies between the Belt and Road Initiative and Laos' strategy to transform itself from a landlocked country to a land-linked hub, together with the construction of the China-Laos Economic Corridor, and carry out comprehensive and institutionalized dialogue and exchanges at various levels.

Wang also briefed Bounnhang on the fourth plenary session of the 19th Communist Party of China Central Committee, saying China is willing to work with Laos to enhance experience exchanges in governance and jointly develop their socialist systems featuring different characteristics.

Bounnhang expressed his congratulations to China on its great achievements made in the past 70 years.

Hailing the traditionally friendly relations between Laos and China, Bounnhang said Laos stands ready to work with China to jointly implement the action plan on building a community with a shared future for China and Laos, facilitate frequent exchanges on the development of the ruling parties and their cadres at different levels, and enhance mutual support on issues regarding each other's major concerns. The country would also work with China to coordinate on major international and regional issues to promote a more comprehensive and higher quality development of bilateral relations, Bounnhang said.

In his talks with Xaysomphone, Wang said the China-Laos relationship has ushered in a new era under the leadership of the top leaders of the two parties and two countries.

China is ready to work with Laos to facilitate high-level exchanges, deepen political mutual trust, implement major industrial capacity, economic and trade cooperation projects, and take the China-Laos tourism year as an opportunity to expand tourism cooperation and people-to-people exchanges, said Wang.

He added that the CPPCC is willing to work with the Lao Front for National Construction to enhance exchanges at all levels and mutual learning to enrich the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between the two countries.

Xaysomphone said the success of socialism with Chinese characteristics is solid proof of the CPC's strategic vision and governance capacity.

Noting that Laos and China are enjoying their best relations ever, Xaysomphone said his country firmly supports the BRI, and is ready to work with China to deepen experience exchanges in governance and enhance all-around mutually beneficial cooperation.

During his meetings with Thongloun and Pany, Wang said the China-Laos relationship not only has a solid political foundation, but also has economic complementary advantages.

Underpinning friendship

China appreciates the policy and legal support provided by the Lao government and the National Assembly to promote bilateral cooperation, Wang said.

He called on the two sides to implement the consensus reached by leaders of the two parties and two countries, guarantee that the construction of the China-Laos railway be completed as scheduled, and to promote more social welfare projects as aid that will consolidate the foundations of public opinion underpinning the friendship between the two countries.

The Lao side said that the great achievements China has made in the past 70 years are solid proof of the superiority of the socialist system.

The Lao officials expressed appreciation for China's active role in international and regional affairs and voiced support for the measures China has taken to safeguard its core interests and national security.

Laos is willing to make it more convenient for Chinese companies to invest in the country, and for more Chinese tourists to visit, they said.

During his stay in Laos, Wang also met with Khamkhanh Chanthavisouk, secretary of the Luang Prabang Party Committee and governor of the Lao province, inspected the construction of the China-Laos Railway, attended a meeting with representatives of overseas Chinese in Laos and activities for the China-Laos tourism year. He laid a wreath at the statue of former Lao president Kaysone Phomvihane.

Xinhua