Vientiane Times
Vientiane and Beijing not only intend to deepen their political relations but also to strengthen trade cooperation and personnel exchanges to promote better understanding between the two capitals.
The commitment was reaffirmed during a goodwill visit to Laos by a Communist Party of China (CPC) delegation led by a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Secretary of the Beijing Municipal Committee of the CPC, Mr Liu Qi, from November 3-5.
The visit is one of many exchange visits planned between delegations from the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party and the Communist Party of China.
Party Secretary and Mayor of Vientiane Mr Soukanh Mahalath warmly welcomed Mr Liu Qi on his arrival.
Coinciding with the two parties’ discussions on cooperative relations, an exhibit opened at the National Culture Hall in Vientiane on Friday, which details the cultural and economic development of Beijing and promotes a better understanding of the historic city.
Deputy Prime Minister Mr Asang Laoly and Mr Soukanh Mahalath represented Laos at a ribbon cutting ceremony to open the exhibition while Mr Liu Qi and Chinese Ambassador to Laos Ms Bujinguo represented the Chinese side.
After bilateral talks in Vientiane yesterday, Mr Soukanh and Mr Liu Qi attended an agreement signing ceremony between Vice President of the Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry Dr Sanan Chounlamany and Vice President of the China International Trade Promotion Committee Mr Ni Yuegang.
Officials said the agreement is evidence of the strong commitment between Vientiane and Beijing to strengthen trade relations for the benefit of the people of both countries.
This is the first visit to Laos by Mr Liu Qi and Lao leaders believe it will contribute to strengthening the cooperative relations between Laos and China.
Laos established diplo-matic relations with China on April 4, 1961, and the two nations recently agreed to raise their bilateral ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership, to further strengthen relations.
China is an important trading partner of Laos, with trade volume now worth more than US$1 billion, up about 40 percent from last year.
China is also a major foreign investor in Laos. Chinese firms have invested in 397 projects, mostly in the areas of hydropower, mining, commercial centres, banking, restaurants, hotels, rubber tree plantations and telecommunications. In the past decade Chinese investments have totalled about US$2.71 billion.
Yesterday, Mr Liu Qi also called on the Secretary General of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party and President of Laos Mr Choummaly Sayasone to discuss further cooperation.
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