(KPL) On April 3, 2025, Politburo Member of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and Foreign Minister of China, Wang Yi, visited the Lao Embassy in Beijing to sign a book of condolences for the late General Khamtay Siphandone, former President of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party Central Committee and former President of the Lao PDR.

Wang Yi was welcomed by Lao Ambassador to China, Somphone Sichaleun, along with embassy officials. In the book, Wang Yi wrote: “I express profound sadness for Comrade General Khamtay Siphandone.”

On this occasion, Wang Yi also represented China’s senior leadership, including General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee and State President Xi Jinping; Premier Li Qiang; Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress Zhao Leji; and Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference Wang Huning, in laying a wreath in memory of Comrade General Khamtay Siphandone.

Wang Yi further expressed his deepest condolences to the Central Committee of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, the President, the Government, the people of Laos, and the family of General Khamtay Siphandone. He paid high tribute to General Khamtay’s life and legacy—his contributions to the revolutionary struggle for national liberation, national protection, and the country’s development—as well as his role in strengthening Lao-China relations throughout his life.

On this occasion, Somphone Sichaleun, on behalf of the Lao Party, Government, and the Siphandone family, expressed sincere gratitude and appreciation to the Chinese leadership. He reaffirmed Laos’s commitment to continue deepening and expanding the Lao-China comprehensive cooperative partnership, advancing it with greater depth and effectiveness.

On the same day, Ambassador Somphone also led embassy staff and Lao experts working in China in jointly paying their respects and offering condolences upon the passing of Comrade General Khamtay Siphandone.

KPL