On the afternoon of April 21, General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and President Xi Jinping met at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing with Sonexay Siphandone, Politburo member and Standing Deputy Prime Minister of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party, who came as a special envoy of Thongloun Sisoulith, General Secretary of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party Central Committee and President of Laos.

On the afternoon of April 21, General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and President Xi Jinping met at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing with Sonexay Siphandone, Politburo member and Standing Deputy Prime Minister of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party, who came as a special envoy of Thongloun Sisoulith, General Secretary of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party Central Committee and President of Laos.

Xi Jinping noted that the exchange of special envoys between the two parties to inform each other of major political agendas reflects their deep traditional friendship and high level of political trust. This year marks the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Laos, as well as the “China-Laos Friendship Year.” Not long ago, he exchanged letters with General Secretary Thongloun, reaching important consensus on deepening the building of a China-Laos community with a shared future. He expressed confidence that under the strong leadership of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party Central Committee headed by General Secretary Thongloun, the Lao Party, state, and people will overcome difficulties, successfully complete their goals and tasks, steadily advance on the socialist path, and achieve the centenary goal of the Party.

Xi Jinping emphasized that, standing at a new historical starting point, China and Laos should continue to uphold the “sixteen-character” principles and the “four-good” spirit, coordinate and cooperate closely from a strategic height concerning the future of socialism, deepen strategic alignment, expand practical cooperation, jointly address common challenges, and implement the new five-year action plan for building a China-Laos community with a shared future, steadily advancing toward high standards, high quality, and high levels.

Sonexay Siphandone conveyed a personal letter from Thongloun to General Secretary Xi Jinping, briefed on the situation regarding the 12th Congress of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party, and stated that China has long maintained a stable and secure domestic political and social environment, created a miracle of sustained high-speed economic growth, and continuously enhanced its role and influence on the international stage. Laos firmly supports the major global initiatives proposed by General Secretary Xi Jinping and is willing to deepen comprehensive and practical cooperation with China, continuously achieving new results in building a Laos-China community with a shared future.

Wang Yi attended the meeting.

Great Hall of the People

The Great Hall of the People is a massive government building located on the western side of Tiananmen Square in Beijing, China. Constructed in just ten months in 1959 as part of the “Ten Great Buildings” projects for the 10th anniversary of the People’s Republic, it serves as the primary venue for China’s legislative and political meetings, including the National People’s Congress. The hall is also used for state banquets and cultural performances, symbolizing the political authority and architectural ambition of modern China.