On March 23, General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory message to Thongloun Sisoulith on his re-election as President of Laos.
Xi Jinping pointed out that China and Laos are socialist friendly neighbors sharing weal and woe. The two sides have always treated each other with all sincerity and helped each other, firmly supporting each other on issues concerning each other’s core interests and major concerns, reflecting the profound friendship of “comrades and brothers.” The year 2026 marks the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Laos and the “China-Laos Friendship Year.” The two sides will hold a series of celebratory activities to inject new impetus into enhancing the friendship between the two peoples.
Xi Jinping emphasized that this year marks the beginning of China’s 15th Five-Year Plan and Laos’s 9th Five-Year Plan. Both countries are at a crucial stage of development and revitalization, and mutually beneficial cooperation between the two sides ushers in broader prospects. I attach great importance to the development of relations between the two Parties and the two countries. I am willing to work together with General Secretary and President Thongloun Sisoulith to draw a new blueprint for comprehensive strategic cooperation between the two countries, promote the building of a China-Laos community with a shared future to a higher level, better benefit the two peoples, and contribute more to regional peace and development.
On the same day, Premier Li Qiang sent a congratulatory message to Sonexay Siphandone on his re-election as Prime Minister of Laos, expressing willingness to jointly guide various departments and localities of both sides to strengthen exchanges and cooperation and promote the building of a China-Laos community with a shared future to achieve more fruitful results.
China
China is one of the world’s oldest continuous civilizations, with a recorded history spanning over 4,000 years, marked by successive dynasties and profound cultural, philosophical, and technological contributions. Today, it is a vast modern nation-state officially known as the People’s Republic of China, home to iconic cultural sites like the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, and the Terracotta Army, which reflect its immense historical depth and enduring global influence.
Laos
Laos, officially the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, is a landlocked Southeast Asian nation with a rich history centered around the ancient kingdom of Lan Xang (“Land of a Million Elephants”), which flourished from the 14th to 18th centuries. Its culture is deeply influenced by Theravada Buddhism, evident in landmarks like the golden stupa of Pha That Luang in Vientiane and the historic temple complex of Luang Prabang, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Following a period of French colonial rule, Laos emerged from the Vietnam War era to become a socialist republic, with its traditional heritage remaining a cornerstone of national identity.
Communist Party of China Central Committee
The Communist Party of China Central Committee is the core leadership body of the Communist Party of China, guiding the nation’s development since the Party’s establishment. It has led the Chinese people through revolutionary struggle, socialist construction, and reform, consistently upholding and developing socialism with Chinese characteristics. Today, it continues to steer China’s progress toward national rejuvenation under the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era.
China-Laos Friendship Year
“China-Laos Friendship Year” is not a physical place or cultural site, but a commemorative bilateral event. It was officially designated for 2024 to celebrate the 5th anniversary of the China-Laos Railway and to further deepen comprehensive strategic cooperation between the two nations. The year features a series of cultural, economic, and people-to-people exchange activities to highlight the long-standing partnership.
15th Five-Year Plan
The “15th Five-Year Plan” is not a physical place or cultural site, but a strategic national development blueprint for the People’s Republic of China. It refers to the economic and social development guidelines set for the period from 2026 to 2030, continuing a series of such plans that began in 1953. Its history is part of China’s long-term state planning system, which aims to set key economic targets, policy directions, and modernization goals for the nation.
9th Five-Year Plan
The “9th Five-Year Plan” is not a physical place or cultural site, but a key economic and social development blueprint for China, covering the period from 1996 to 2000. It focused on deepening reforms, promoting sustainable growth, and addressing issues like state-owned enterprise restructuring and regional development imbalances as China transitioned toward a socialist market economy.
China-Laos community with a shared future
The “China-Laos community with a shared future” is a modern diplomatic initiative, formally established in 2019, that aims to deepen comprehensive strategic cooperation between the two nations. It builds upon a long history of friendly relations and is exemplified by major projects like the China-Laos Railway, designed to enhance connectivity and shared economic development. This framework represents a model of bilateral partnership focusing on mutual prosperity and regional stability within Southeast Asia.
