On the evening of October 22 in Kazan, Russian Federation, Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Thongloun Sisolith, the General Secretary of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party and the President of Laos.
During the meeting, President Xi emphasized the significant progress made since they reached an important consensus on deepening the comprehensive strategic cooperation between China and Laos last October. He noted that over the past year, the two parties, along with various departments and regions from both countries, have actively implemented their agreements, leading to fruitful cooperation in areas such as connectivity, trade and investment, and cultural exchanges. Xi highlighted the special importance of the China-Laos relationship in the context of China’s diplomatic efforts in the region, stating that no matter how international dynamics evolve, China will always be a reliable friend and partner for Laos.
He elaborated on China’s commitment to high-quality development and modernization, while acknowledging that Laos is also at a new phase of national development. Xi expressed China’s willingness to further strengthen strategic trust with Laos, deepen practical cooperation, and continue advancing the construction of a China-Laos community with a shared future.
Moreover, Xi proposed that both countries enhance mutual learning and support each other on core interests and major concerns. He called for ongoing efforts to strengthen the China-Laos railway and advance the China-Laos Economic Corridor, aiming to establish a model for the Belt and Road Initiative. He also indicated China’s desire to import more high-quality agricultural products from Laos and to bolster exchanges in education, culture, and youth engagement. Xi congratulated Laos for successfully hosting the East Asia Cooperation Leaders’ Meeting series and welcomed their active participation in BRICS cooperation. He stressed the importance of multilateral coordination to jointly uphold international equity and promote the interests of developing countries.
In response, Thongloun reflected on his visit to China last year for the Third Belt and Road Forum, where he and President Xi signed the updated action plan for building the Laos-China community with a shared future. He noted that the implementation of these actions has been both vigorous and effective. Thongloun pointed out that the China-Laos relationship is currently at its historical high, with increasing depth and breadth in bilateral cooperation. He expressed gratitude for China’s long-standing support, which has significantly contributed to the socioeconomic development of Laos. He reaffirmed Laos’ unwavering commitment to the One China policy and strong support for China’s core interests, especially on issues related to Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Xinjiang. Lastly, he thanked China for its robust support in hosting the East Asia Cooperation Leaders’ Meeting and expressed Laos’ willingness to continue close cooperation with China on platforms such as ASEAN.
The meeting was also attended by Cai Qi, Wang Yi, and other officials.
