General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks with General Secretary of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party Central Committee and Lao President Thongloun Sisoulith in Beijing on Friday.
Noting that China has always regarded Laos as a priority in its neighborhood diplomacy, Xi said China is willing to work with Laos to achieve a new leap in bilateral ties and build an all-weather China-Laos community with a shared future in the new era.
Laos fully agrees with China and supports the upgrading of bilateral ties and stands ready to work with China to consolidate high-level political mutual trust, Thongloun said.
The Chinese president put forward a four-point proposal for advancing China-Laos relations and building a higher-standard, higher-quality and higher-level bilateral community with a shared future.
Firstly, the two sides should uphold the socialist orientation, jointly safeguard the socialist system and the leadership of communist parties, maintain close strategic communication, implement the new five-year cooperation plan between the two parties and deepen exchanges on governance experience, Xi said.
He called on the two countries to take the establishment of a « 3+3 » strategic dialogue mechanism involving diplomacy, defense and public security as an opportunity to strengthen law enforcement and security cooperation and crack down on cross-border crimes.
Secondly, Xi said the two sides should consolidate the foundation of mutually beneficial cooperation.
China is willing to strengthen strategic alignment with Laos and foster new growth drivers for cooperation, he said.
The two countries should capitalize on the advantages of the China-Laos Railway as a golden transport corridor, advance development along the route and push for the « juxtaposed border control » so as to upgrade cooperation under the China-Laos Economic Corridor, Xi said.
He also called for accelerating the connectivity of the China-Laos-Thailand Railway to achieve broader regional interconnectivity at an early date.
The two sides should deepen cooperation in traditional sectors such as agriculture and electricity while expanding collaboration in emerging areas including artificial intelligence and the digital economy, Xi said, adding that China will continue to provide assistance within its capacity to Laos.
Thirdly, Xi said the two countries should consolidate traditional friendship between their peoples.
Taking the China-Laos Friendship Year as an opportunity, the two sides should expand cooperation in culture, education, health care and local exchanges, make good use of their shared revolutionary heritage, and enhance mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples, he said.
China is willing to work with Laos to implement talent training programs and deliver more « small but beautiful » livelihood projects, Xi added.
Xi also called for closer coordination on foreign policy.
He commended Laos for adhering to the one-China principle, supporting the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, the Global Civilization Initiative, the Global Governance Initiative and the Belt and Road Initiative, as well as firmly supporting China’s core interests and major concerns.
China looks forward to Laos playing a greater role in regional and international affairs, Xi said, adding that the two sides should strengthen multilateral coordination and safeguard the common interests of the Global South.
For his part, Thongloun said the visit marks his first official overseas trip since being re-elected as general secretary of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party Central Committee and Lao president.
The visit is of special significance as it coincides with the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Laos and China and the China-Laos Friendship Year, he said.
Thongloun expressed sincere gratitude for China’s long-standing support and assistance to Laos.
During the visit, he said, he witnessed China’s tremendous achievements under the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era.
China has become a leading force for socialism and developing countries, as well as a pillar for safeguarding world peace and promoting a multipolar world, he said, adding that China’s development offers valuable experience for developing countries, including Laos.
Noting that bilateral relations are at their best in history, Thongloun reaffirmed Laos’ commitment to the one-China principle and support for the major global initiatives proposed by Xi.
Laos highly values and supports the elevation of bilateral relations and stands ready to strengthen political mutual trust, enhance defense and law enforcement cooperation, jointly combat online gambling and telecom fraud, deepen cooperation in trade, investment, mineral resource development, clean energy, digital economy, modern agriculture and ecological protection, and promote people-to-people exchanges, he said.
The two sides witnessed the signing of cooperation documents covering inter-party exchanges, people’s livelihood, finance, customs, trade, youth exchanges and media cooperation following the talks.
Prior to the talks, Xi and his wife, Peng Liyuan, held a welcoming ceremony for Thongloun and his wife, Naly Sisoulith, at the Great Hall of the People.
In the evening, Xi and Peng hosted a welcome banquet for Thongloun and his wife.