Xi Jinping holds talks with Thongloun, General Secretary of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party Central Committee and President of Laos

On the afternoon of June 5, 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, who was on a state visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

Xi Jinping once again congratulated Thongloun on his re-election as General Secretary of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party Central Committee and President of Laos, noting that China has always regarded Laos as an important direction in its neighborhood diplomacy, firmly supports Laos in following a socialist path suited to its national conditions, and is willing to work with Laos to carry forward traditional friendship, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, and strengthen close coordination to elevate China-Laos relations to a new level, jointly building a China-Laos community with a shared future for the new era around the clock.

Xi Jinping put forward four points for advancing China-Laos relations and the construction of the community with a shared future towards higher standards, quality, and levels:

First, adhere to the socialist direction. Both sides should jointly defend the socialist system and the ruling position of the Communist Party, maintain close strategic communication, implement the new five-year cooperation plan between the two parties, and deepen exchanges on party and state governance experiences. Taking the establishment of the “3+3” strategic dialogue mechanism among foreign affairs, defense, and public security departments as an opportunity, both sides should deepen law enforcement and security cooperation and resolutely combat cross-border crimes.

Second, consolidate the foundation of mutually beneficial cooperation. China is willing to strengthen strategic alignment with Laos and expand growth points for cooperation. Leveraging the golden corridor advantage of the China-Laos Railway, both sides should promote development along the railway and implement the “one place, two inspections” model to enhance the quality and upgrade of China-Laos economic corridor cooperation. Efforts should be accelerated to connect the China-Laos-Thailand Railway, achieving greater regional connectivity at an early date. Cooperation in traditional fields such as agriculture and electricity should be strengthened, while expanding into emerging areas like artificial intelligence and the digital economy. China is willing to continue providing assistance to Laos to the best of its ability.

Third, consolidate the traditional friendship between the people. Taking this year’s “China-Laos Friendship Year” as an opportunity, both sides should expand cooperation in culture, education, health, and local exchanges, tap into red resources, and enhance mutual understanding and affinity between the peoples. China is willing to implement talent training programs with Laos and create more “small yet beautiful” livelihood projects.

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