Beijing, November 12th—Liu Jianchao, Minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, met here today with Thongsavanh Phomvihane, Minister of the International Department of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP).

Liu said, in October last year, General Secretary Xi Jinping and General Secretary Thongloun Sisoulith jointly signed a new five-year action plan on building a China-Laos community with a shared future, which has charted the course for deepening all-round cooperation between the two countries. Since then, under the strategic guidance of the top leaders of the two Parties and countries, the relevant departments and local governments of the two sides have made joint efforts to implement the new five-year action plan and achieved a good start. The two sides have witnessed deepening political mutual trust, vibrant inter-party exchanges, remarkable results in practical cooperation and more dynamic people-to-people and cultural exchanges.

Liu said, in the face of the complicated international situation and respective development and reform goals and tasks, the Chinese side is willing to work with the Lao side to push for greater development of China-Laos relations under the guidance of the important consensus reached by the top leaders of the two Parties and countries. The two sides should deepen strategic communication and political mutual trust and firmly grasp the direction of bilateral relations. We should strengthen the integration of our development strategies, ensure the implementation of China-Laos Railway and other major projects, and advance cooperation in minerals and agricultural products. We should strengthen coordination and cooperation in multilateral mechanisms such as East Asia cooperation, Lancang-Mekong Cooperation and China-ASEAN cooperation to jointly safeguard regional peace and stability. The International Departments of the two Parties should serve and ensure high-level exchanges between the two Parties, deepen exchanges of experience in party and state governance, and push for new achievements in the building of a China-Laos community with a shared future.

Thongsavanh said, 2024 is the first year for the two sides to implement the new five-year action plan on building a Laos-China community with a shared future. It is believed that the new action plan will be better implemented on the basis of the successful implementation of the first five-year action plan. The Lao side warmly congratulated the Chinese side on the successful holding of the third plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee and thanked the Chinese side for sending a delegation to Laos to brief the plenary session. The meeting is not only of great significance to China, but also provides important opportunities for Laos and other countries. The LPRP is willing to strengthen high-level exchanges with the CPC, deepen experience exchange in state governance and administration through theoretical discussions, strengthen cooperation in cadre training and other fields, and promote exchanges at the local level. The China-Laos Railway is a landmark project of bilateral cooperation, which is of great significance to Laos. The Lao side is willing to strengthen cooperation with the Chinese side to ensure the smooth construction and operation of the railway and welcomes more Chinese enterprises to invest in Laos. Laos appreciates China's strong support for hosting the leaders' meetings on East Asia cooperation and is willing to strengthen coordination and cooperation with China in international and regional affairs. Thongsavanh introduced the 9th Plenary Session of the 11th Party Central Committee.

Sun Haiyan, Vice-minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, Somphone Sichaleune, Lao Ambassador to China, and others were present.