Beijing, June 6 (Xinhua) — Topic: During his first official visit after being re-elected, Chinese and Lao leaders highlighted a shared key term.

Recently, China’s “diplomatic momentum” has continued to intensify. Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and President of China, held talks with Thongloun Sisoulith, General Secretary of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party Central Committee and President of Laos, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on June 5. This marks Thongloun’s first official overseas visit since his re-election.

On the afternoon of June 5, Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and President of China, held talks with Thongloun Sisoulith, General Secretary of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party Central Committee and President of Laos, who was in China for a state visit, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. This photo shows Xi Jinping welcoming Thongloun with a ceremony on the East Square outside the Great Hall of the People before the talks.

During the talks, the Chinese and Lao leaders highlighted a shared key term: a “new era all-weather” community with a shared future. The two countries clearly stated in a joint declaration that they unanimously agreed to work together to build a new era all-weather China-Laos community with a shared future.

Thongloun’s visit coincides with the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Laos and the “China-Laos Friendship Year.” Experts noted that the face-to-face meeting between the two leaders at this critical juncture has propelled China-Laos relations to a new level.

Xi Jinping put forward four points on advancing China-Laos relations and the construction of the community with a shared future towards high standards, high quality, and high levels: adhere to the socialist direction, solidify the foundation of mutually beneficial cooperation, consolidate the traditional friendship between the peoples, and strengthen coordination of foreign policies.

An expert from Fudan University believes that these four points are closely linked, providing direction and strong momentum for building the new era all-weather China-Laos community with a shared future.

On June 3, Thongloun presented a souvenir engraved with his name to Yucun Village. On that day, Thongloun, General Secretary of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party Central Committee and President of Laos, visited Yucun Village in Anji, Huzhou, Zhejiang, the birthplace of the “Two Mountains” concept. He also inspected rural homestays and a bamboo-for-plastic demonstration center, experiencing the new developments in Zhejiang’s rural areas.

Building the new era all-weather China-Laos community with a shared future requires continuous joint efforts.

China and Laos are socialist neighbors sharing a common destiny. Over the 65 years of diplomatic relations, the traditional friendship has withstood the tests of changing times and international situations, growing stronger over time.

During the talks, Xi Jinping pointed out that both sides should jointly uphold the socialist system and the ruling status of the communist parties, maintain close strategic communication, implement the new five-year cooperation plan between the two parties, and deepen exchanges on party governance and state administration experiences.

Observers noted that Thongloun’s visit included learning about ecological governance experiences in Anji, Zhejiang, the birthplace of the “Two Mountains” concept, and a special visit to the Central Party School (National Academy of Governance) in Beijing, where he had studied in 2000. The expert from Fudan University believes that the same institutional foundation and continuous party and government exchanges provide institutional guarantees for long-term political mutual trust between China and Laos.

Building the new era all-weather China-Laos community with a shared future requires deepening mutually beneficial cooperation.

In recent years, China-Laos cooperation has continued to expand. China has been the largest foreign investor and export destination for Laos for many years. Close cooperation has helped Laos accelerate its transformation from a “landlocked country

Great Hall of the People

The Great Hall of the People is a monumental state building located on the western side of Tiananmen Square in Beijing, China. Completed in 1959 in just ten months for the tenth anniversary of the People’s Republic, it serves as the primary venue for the National People’s Congress and other major political and cultural events. The hall is renowned for its vast scale, featuring a 10,000-seat auditorium and numerous meeting rooms, including the iconic “Provincial Halls” named after each of China’s administrative regions.

East Square outside the Great Hall of the People

The East Square outside the Great Hall of the People in Beijing is a vast public space located on the western side of Tiananmen Square. It is dominated by the Great Hall of the People, a monumental building constructed in 1959 to host China’s legislative and political events. The square serves as a key gathering point for national celebrations and a popular site for visitors to admire the hall’s grand architecture and the broader historical significance of the area.

Yucun Village

Yucun Village, located in Zhejiang Province, China, is widely recognized as the birthplace of the “Two Mountains” theory, which emphasizes that “lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets.” Historically a small, traditional agricultural village, it transformed from a polluted mining and cement-production hub in the 1990s into a model of ecological civilization and green development. Today, Yucun is celebrated as a national example of sustainable tourism and environmental restoration.

Anji

Anji is a county in Zhejiang Province, China, renowned for its lush bamboo forests and being the birthplace of the “Anji Bamboo” industry. Historically, it gained international recognition in 2005 when President Xi Jinping introduced the concept of “Lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets” there, emphasizing ecological conservation. Today, Anji is a popular eco-tourism destination, home to the Bamboo Sea scenic area and the site of the first “Bamboo Expo” in China.

Huzhou

Huzhou is a historic city in Zhejiang Province, China, known for its scenic Taihu Lake and rich cultural heritage. It has been an important center of silk production and tea cultivation for centuries, with its history dating back to the Warring States period. Today, Huzhou is also famous for its ancient water towns and landmarks like the Feiying Pagoda.

Zhejiang

Zhejiang is a coastal province in eastern China known for its rich cultural heritage and natural beauty. Historically, it was a key center of trade and culture during the Song and Ming dynasties, with cities like Hangzhou serving as the imperial capital. Today, it is famous for landmarks such as West Lake, the ancient water towns of Wuzhen and Xitang, and the thriving port city of Ningbo.

Central Party School (National Academy of Governance)

The Central Party School (National Academy of Governance) is a premier institution in China for training high-ranking and mid-level officials, as well as conducting research on party theory and public policy. Established in 1933 in Ruijin, Jiangxi, it moved to Beijing after the founding of the People’s Republic and was merged with the National Academy of Governance in 2018 to strengthen leadership education. It plays a key role in shaping the ideological and administrative capabilities of the Communist Party of China’s cadres.

Beijing

Beijing, the capital of China, is one of the world’s oldest continuous civilizations, with a history spanning over 3,000 years. It has served as the imperial seat for several dynasties, including the Ming and Qing, and is home to iconic landmarks like the Forbidden City and the Great Wall. Today, Beijing is a vibrant modern metropolis that blends its rich cultural heritage with rapid development, serving as the nation’s political, cultural, and educational center.