A high-level Lao delegation led by Khammouane Provincial Party Secretary Saysana Khotphouthone attended the forum alongside Deputy Minister of Technology and Communications Saysana Sitthiphone, business leaders and regional officials.

Addressing the opening ceremony, Saysana Khotphouthone highlighted the long-standing relationship between Laos and China, describing the two countries as close neighbors connected by geography, history and strategic cooperation.

“This year marks the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Laos and China and has been designated as the Year of Lao-China Friendship,” he said.

He also announced that the General Secretary of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party is scheduled to make an official visit to China in June 2026 for talks with Chinese President and General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Xi Jinping.

Saysana described the upcoming visit as a major political event that would further strengthen the Laos-China community with a shared future.

He added that China’s Belt and Road Initiative has already delivered major development benefits for Laos, particularly through infrastructure connectivity and economic cooperation projects.

During the forum, Saysana promoted Khammouane Province as an emerging industrial and logistics hub in central Laos, highlighting its strategic location, natural resources and investment potential.

He said the province is home to Laos’ largest potash reserves and is expanding industries linked to clean energy, tourism and cross-border trade.

Saysana invited Chinese enterprises, including major industrial investors, to expand operations in Khammouane, particularly in four priority sectors: modern agriculture, industrial development, logistics and customs services, and ecological and cultural tourism.

“Opening up creates development opportunities,” he said. “Khammouane Province is ready to align with the Belt and Road Initiative to achieve mutual prosperity.”

Chinese officials also used the forum to promote deeper regional cooperation under the RCEP framework.

Tie Ning, vice chairperson of the Standing Committee of China’s National People’s Congress, said RCEP has become a cornerstone of Asia-Pacific economic growth during its fourth year of implementation.

“RCEP is like a concrete bridge connecting one-third of the world’s population and one-third of the global economy,” she said.

Tie called for stronger regional integration, expanded free trade cooperation and greater support for digital economy development and industrial innovation.

The forum also highlighted Anhui Province’s rapid economic growth. Provincial officials said Anhui’s GDP reached 5.3 trillion yuan in 2025, driven by growth in advanced manufacturing, artificial intelligence, quantum technology and new energy vehicles.

Yang Wanming, president of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, urged member countries to reject protectionism and strengthen multilateral cooperation amid growing global economic uncertainty.

He called for the development of a high-level free trade zone under the RCEP framework focused on resilient supply chains, green energy, artificial intelligence and high-end manufacturing.

KPL