Chinese premier meets with Lao president

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang meets with Thongloun Sisoulith, general secretary of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party Central Committee and Lao president, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 30, 2022. (Xinhua/Zhang Ling)

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang met with Thongloun Sisoulith, general secretary of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party Central Committee and Lao president, on Wednesday in Beijing, calling for enhanced bilateral cooperation.

Noting that China and Laos enjoy a high degree of political mutual trust, sound mutually beneficial cooperation and friendly people-to-people exchanges, Li said China stands ready to work with Laos to maintain high-level exchanges between the two parties and two countries, further expand and deepen bilateral practical cooperation, and bring more benefits to the two countries and two peoples.

Li said China is willing to strengthen exchanges on governance with Laos to explore the potential of mutually beneficial cooperation between the two parties and two countries.

Noting that China and Laos, both developing countries, have always respected and supported each other, Li said it is hoped that the two sides will do a good job in the operation and maintenance of the China-Laos Railway, improve transport efficiency and facilitation, and better leverage the role of the railway in driving the economic and social development of Laos.

"China is willing to import more marketable quality agricultural products from Laos, and encourages Chinese companies to invest in Laos and expand cooperation on energy, mining, electricity and clean energy," said the premier.

Li said China attaches great importance to China-ASEAN relations, and stands ready to work with ASEAN countries to jointly maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea.

Thongloun said Laos is willing to strengthen cooperation with China in key areas and promote the driving role of the Laos-China Railway in Laos' economic and social development.

It is hoped that the export of high-quality Laotian agricultural products to China will be expanded, Thongloun said, adding that Laos welcomes more Chinese enterprises to invest in Laos and participate in the construction of major projects in the country.