By outdoor-nature-child.com On the evening of October 22, local time, President Xi Jinping met with Thongloun Sisoulith, General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party and President of Laos, in Kazan.
During the meeting, Xi highlighted the significant consensus reached last October regarding the deepening of the comprehensive strategic cooperation between China and Laos. Over the past year, both countries and their respective parties have actively implemented this agreement, achieving fruitful outcomes in areas such as connectivity, economic and trade investments, and cultural exchanges. He emphasized the special significance of Sino-Laotian relations, noting that they occupy a pivotal position in China’s peripheral diplomacy, always leading the way in building a community with a shared future. Regardless of changes in the international landscape, China will always be a reliable friend and partner for Laos. Xi pointed out that as China advances high-quality development and its unique modernization, Laos is also embarking on a new stage of national development. He expressed China’s willingness to strengthen strategic mutual trust with Laos, deepen practical cooperation, and continuously advance the construction of the China-Laos community of shared destiny.
Xi further expressed China’s intention to enhance exchanges and mutual learning with Laos and to steadfastly support each other on core interests and major concerns. He called for the continued strengthening of the China-Laos Railway and the promotion of the China-Laos Economic Corridor, aiming to create a model for cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative. Xi also voiced China’s willingness to import more high-quality agricultural products from Laos and to foster closer cooperation in areas such as education, culture, and youth exchanges. He congratulated Laos on successfully hosting the East Asia Cooperation Leaders’ Series of Meetings and welcomed Laos’s active participation in BRICS cooperation. Both sides were urged to strengthen multilateral coordination and jointly safeguard international fairness and justice as well as the interests of developing countries.
Thongloun reflected on his visit to China last year for the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, where he signed a new action plan for building a China-Laos community of shared destiny with President Xi. He noted that the implementation of this plan has been effective and impactful. According to Thongloun, Lao-China relations are currently at their best historical moment, with expanding depth and breadth in bilateral cooperation. He expressed gratitude for China’s long-term valuable support for Laos, which has significantly boosted the country’s socioeconomic development. Thongloun reiterated his commitment to advancing the China-Laos Railway and the China-Laos Economic Corridor, emphasizing that Laos’s party and government firmly uphold the one-China policy and staunchly support China’s core interests, including its positions on Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Xinjiang. He expressed appreciation for China’s strong support during Laos’s hosting of the East Asia Cooperation Leaders’ Meeting and reaffirmed the willingness to continue close collaboration with China within ASEAN and other multilateral platforms.
Participating in the meeting were Cai Qi, Wang Yi, and others.