China and Laos deepen bilateral cooperation for high-quality Belt and Road development

Premier Li Qiang underlined on Saturday China's readiness to better align development strategies with Laos to continue with the high-quality building of the Belt and Road and deepen bilateral cooperation in connectivity, trade, and people-to-people exchanges.

Speaking during a meeting with Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone in Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, Li urged both sides to stay focused on building a high-standard, high-quality and high-level bilateral community with a shared future.

The Lao leader is inwas invited to Nanning to attend the 20th China-ASEAN Expo and China-ASEAN Business and Investment Forum, which opens on Sunday.

Li said China is willing to continue with the high-quality construction of the Belt and Road with Laos and promote the continuous improvement of bilateral cooperation, Li said.

Both sides should further unleash the potential of the China-Laos Railway in spurring the development of both countries, Li said, adding that China supports Laos in enhancing its domestic development capabilities.

The premier expressed China's willingness to strengthen bilateral cooperation in various fields, import more high-quality Laotian products and strengthen people-to-people exchanges to in order to promote mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples and to solidify the social foundation of this bilateral friendship.

He pledged support to Laos as the rotating chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations near year, saying that Beijing stands ready to work with Laos to push forward with the building of a community with a shared future between China and ASEAN.

Sonexay expressed appreciation for China's support for the socioeconomic growth of Laos, saying that his country firmly adheres to the one-China principle and supports Beijing in safeguarding its core interests.

Laos is willing to strengthen exchanges in governance experience with China, coordinate and advance pragmatic cooperation in jointly building the Belt and Road, and in economic, trade, investment, and cultural sectors, enhance coordination and cooperation in international and regional affairs, he said.