Laos and China are aiming to achieve better synergy in development with the relevant sectors from both countries to work together to merge Laos’ Eighth five-year National Socio-Economic Development Plan (NSEDP) with China’s 13th five year NSEDP.
The willingness to make the move was signalled during the meeting between Lao Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Saleumxay Kommasith and his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi in Beijing, China on Wednesday.
Mr. Saleum xay and his delegation visited China from August 2-4 at the invitation of the Chinese minister to enhance the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries.
The two sides were pleased and highly valued the cooperation ties between the two Parties, governments and people over the past years, which they said have been persistently expanded and realised in many activities.
They also noted the mutual visits by high-level delegations of the two countries, especially the recent visit of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party Secretary General and Lao President, Bounnhang Vorachit to China.
Laos and China agreed on strengthening their economic cooperation in trade, investment, tourism, as well as cooperation in other sectors.
Bilateral trade volumes between the two countries have reached US$3 billion, while Chinese investment in Laos is ranked as the highest by any country with 760 projects being operated in the country valued at some US$6 billion.
More than one million Chinese have visited Laos, while the number of Lao people visiting China is also on the rise, according to a press release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The most outstanding cooperation projects between the two countries are Lao Sat-1 and the Laos-China Railway.
The two sides will continue organising various activities to mark this year’s 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
“This year is of great importance in the history of bilateral relations as it marks the 55th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Laos and China,” the Lao minister was quoted by Xinhua as saying. The Lao and Chinese diplomats agreed for the relevant sectors from both countries to work together to merge Laos’ eighth NSEDP and China’s thirteenth NSEDP around the Chinese One Belt, One Road strategy and the Lao policy of transforming from a landlocked into a land linked country.
The two sides also intended to cooperate closely in addressing illegal drug trafficking, illegal migration, and human trafficking.
Mr. Saleumxay said Laos welcomed the high leaders of China to visit and attend the ASEN Summit and other related meetings in the country, while Mr. Wang also said China was willing to work with Laos to prepare for the attendance of Lao President Bounnhang Vorachit at the G20 Hangzhou Summit in September.
Source: Vientiane Times
