China shows support for new era of Laos relations

President Xi will pay a state visit to country next week

VIENTIANE, Laos - President Xi Jinping's first overseas trip after his re-election, which includes Laos, reflects the fact that China attaches great importance to relations with the country, the Chinese ambassador to Laos has said.

Ambassador Wang Wentian made the comment in Vientiane ahead of the planned state visit to Laos by Xi, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee.

Xi will make his first stop in Vietnam on Nov 10 where he will attend the 25th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Economic Leaders' Meeting in Da Nang followed by a state visit.

He and his delegation will then fly to Laos for a two-day state visit on Nov 13-14 at the invitation of his counterpart Bounnhang Vorachit.

It will be the first state visit to the country by a top Chinese leader since 2006 and Xi's first overseas trip after the 19th National Congress of the CPC.

Therefore it is important and enormously meaningful for the bilateral relations and cooperation between the CPC and the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, between the two states, and the two peoples, Ambassador Wang said.

"It reflects that the top leaders in the Party and state of the People's Republic of China have attached great importance to enhancing relations and the comprehensive cooperative strategic partnership between Laos and China," he said.

"The Chinese side will continue to decisively support the socialism building task of the LPRP."

Strategic plan

During the visit, leaders of both sides will outline a strategic plan to develop bilateral relations between Laos and China in the new era, the ambassador said.

Over the past five years, Wang said, ties between Laos and China have significantly developed, with both sides enjoying mutual trust, comprehensive economic cooperation and a high degree of friendship.

In terms of economics, Wang said there was huge potential for Laos and China to work together to maximize this potential and broaden their economic cooperation.

As Laos is striving to modernize its industry and expand its production base, China - the world's second largest economy - has experience in this regard that matches Laos' needs, the ambassador said.

China, one of the world's leading developers of high-end technologies like high-speed rail, telecommunications and hydropower development technologies as well as heavy machinery, could help Laos to tap its development potential.

Bilateral trade volume last year reached $2.34 billion with Lao goods exported to China reaching $1.35 billion.

China was the largest source of foreign investment to Laos with 765 projects worth about $7 billion across 14 sectors including mines, hydropower, agriculture and services.

Currently, both sides are carrying out the construction of the $5.8 billion Laos-China railway linking Vientiane, the capital of Laos, with the Chinese border. The 417-kilometer railway will form part of the Belt and Road Initiative.

Vientiane Times/ann

(China Daily 11/09/2017 page9)