Xi: Ties with Laos begin new chapter

China and Laos should better align their development strategies and steadily advance the development of the China-Laos Economic Corridor and construction of the China-Laos Railway, President Xi Jinping said on Tuesday.

Xi, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remark during a phone conversation with Bounnhang Vorachith, general secretary of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party Central Committee and president of Laos.

The two sides must take advantage of opportunities from China's accelerated steps in fostering a new development paradigm and the signing of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership to expand cooperation, he said.

Xi urged stronger bilateral coordination over international and regional affairs to work toward more pragmatic outcomes in the building of a China-Laos community with a shared future and bring about more benefits to the two peoples.

Both sides have made poverty alleviation a policy priority, and bilateral cooperation in this regard has become a highlight, he said.

The two nations have launched a joint response against COVID-19 and summer floods and both were opposed to actions that politicize or stigmatize the virus, Xi said.

With the CPC set to celebrate its 100th anniversary next year and the LPRP set to host its 11th National Congress in 2021, Xi said China is willing to work with Laos to write new chapters in relations between the two parties and nations in the new era.

Bounnhang said Laos appreciates the precious support from China in its pandemic response, and the country is willing to work with China to maintain exchanges at various levels.