Xi: Bolster ties with BRI partners

Laos

Xi, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, signed with Thongloun Sisoulith, general secretary of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party Central Committee and Lao president, an action plan on building a China-Laos community with a shared future from 2024 to 2028 between the CPC and the LPRP, after their meeting.

The two leaders also witnessed the signing of bilateral cooperation documents in such areas as Belt and Road cooperation, the digital economy, media, culture, tourism, public health, and customs inspection and quarantine.

Xi told Thongloun during their meeting that the two sides should use the signing of the new five-year action plan to enrich relations between the two parties and the two countries, and inject new impetus into regional and world peace, stability, development and prosperity.

He highlighted the essential characteristic of China-Laos relations as upholding the Party's leadership and the socialist orientation.

The CPC and the LPRP should continue to deepen political mutual trust, enhance governance capabilities, and strengthen communication and cooperation in the political, law enforcement and security fields, Xi said.

He urged joint efforts to tap the potential of the China-Laos railway, focusing on development along the railway route, steadily advance construction of the China-Laos Economic Corridor, actively promote visions for regional connectivity and development, and create a model of Belt and Road cooperation in the region.

He underlined China's readiness to continue providing assistance to Laos for its economic development, encourage imports of more high-quality agricultural produce from Laos and expand cooperation in sectors including energy and mining.

Xi also pledged support to Laos, which will assume the rotating presidency of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations next year, in playing a greater role in regional and international affairs.

Thongloun, who came to Beijing to attend the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation and pay a working visit to China, said Laos stands ready to strengthen high-level interaction with China, advance pragmatic-cooperation on the Laos-China Economic Corridor and other projects, and enhance coordination and cooperation on ASEAN-China relations and regional issues.