Translated with AI
General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and President of the People's Republic of China (PRC) Xi Jinping held a welcoming ceremony in Beijing for Thongloun Sisoulith, General Secretary of the Central Committee of the People's Revolutionary Party (PRP) and President of Laos, who is in China on a state visit. The two leaders later held talks. A 21-gun salute was fired in honor of the distinguished guest at the plaza outside the east entrance of the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. The wives of the two leaders, as well as representatives of their respective leaderships, attended the ceremony. A military band played the national anthems of both countries. Afterward, Xi Jinping and Thongloun Sisoulith inspected the honor guard of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) and a ceremonial march. During the talks, Xi Jinping noted that China views Laos as a priority in its foreign policy toward neighboring countries and firmly supports the republic's chosen development path. According to him, Beijing is ready to strengthen traditional friendship, expand practical cooperation and coordination, and jointly develop an all-weather China-Laos community of shared future.
The Chinese President outlined four key areas for further cooperation. The first is commitment to the socialist path of development. Xi Jinping called for expanding the exchange of governance experiences, strengthening strategic contacts, and strengthening security cooperation to combat cross-border crime.
The second area he identified was the development of mutually beneficial cooperation. This includes aligning development strategies, unlocking the potential of the China-Laos railway, modernizing the China-Laos Economic Corridor, and accelerating the construction of railway links between China, Laos, and Thailand. Xi Jinping also proposed expanding cooperation in agriculture, energy, artificial intelligence, and the digital economy.
Third, as part of the China-Laos Friendship Year, Xi Jinping proposed intensifying cooperation in culture, education, healthcare, and interregional relations, as well as expanding specialist training programs and projects aimed at improving people's lives. Fourth, Xi Jinping outlined closer coordination on the international and regional arenas. He praised Laos's commitment to the one-China principle, its support for China's global initiatives, its participation in cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative, and its support for China's core interests.
Thongloun Sisoulith stated that during his visit, he had the opportunity to witness China's impressive achievements firsthand. He noted that relations between the two countries are at their highest level ever. He stated that Laos is ready to strengthen political trust, expand defense and law enforcement cooperation, and jointly combat online fraud and illegal gambling. The Lao leader also expressed interest in expanding cooperation in trade, investment, clean energy, the digital economy, modern agriculture, and environmental protection. Following the meeting, the two leaders attended a signing ceremony for cooperation documents in inter-party exchanges, public projects, finance, customs regulation, trade, youth contacts, and media cooperation.
(Photo: Xinhua)
