President Bounnhang Vorachit has told the G20 Summit that ASEAN, the 10-member regional bloc which Laos chairs this year, has actively contributed to addressing global crises, the Lao Ministry of Foreign Affairs has said.The Lao President led a high-level delegation to attend the Summit running from September 2-5 in Hangzhou, China. He was invited to attend the summit as a guest with Laos this year holding the ASEAN rotating presidency.
President Bounnhang explained that ASEAN’s remarkable contributions to resolving global crises included its capability to maintain financial and economic stability and steady economic growth.
ASEAN, he added, has attached great importance to relations and cooperation with friendly countries worldwide including the G20. This has been a driving force to enable ASEAN to achieve its goal of becoming a common market and production base.
The president congratulated the success of the G20 Summit, in which leaders adopted a number of important documents to stimulate and drive growth in the G20 countries, the Lao foreign ministry said.
During the visit to China, President Bounnhang also met with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
At their talks, the Chinese President called on China and Laos to build an unshakable community of common destiny, Xinhua News Agency reported.
President Xi said that during the 55 years since diplomatic relations were established, the two countries had cooperated in various areas to the benefit of both peoples, it reported.
During Mr. Bounnhang’s China visit in May, the two countries agreed on comprehensive strategic cooperation in the new era.
Xinhua quoted President Xi as saying that China and Laos should advance their comprehensive strategic partnership and join hands in building a community of common destiny.
The two countries should work on the Belt and Road Initiative and cooperate in production capacity, infrastructure, energy, and the economy. The 55th anniversary of diplomatic ties would be celebrated with exchanges and cooperation in education, culture, tourism, as well as law enforcement and security, Mr. Xi said. The Lao Foreign Ministry said President Bounnhang thanked China for the invitation extended to him and his delegates to attend the G20 Summit.
Representing the Party, government and people of Laos, the president thanked the Chinese side for its valuable support and assistance in helping Laos organising the 28th and 29th ASEAN Summits and related meetings taking place from September 6-8 in Vientiane.
The leaders praised the efforts of both sides to maintain regular contacts at all levels and agreed to organise activities to mark the 55th anniversary of diplomatic ties.
Source: Vientiane Times
