(KPL) On August 26, in Vientiane, the Lao-China Cooperation Committee (LCC) of the Ministry of Finance, in cooperation with the Chinese Embassy in the Lao PDR, relevant central and local authorities, the Chinese project management unit, and the construction company, officially held a handover ceremony for the 2nd Lao Rural Infrastructure Project (4×100 Project 2).

The ceremony was attended by Mr. Saleumxay Kommasith, Deputy Prime Minister, who leads the work in the fields of economy and foreign relations cooperation, and Chairman of the Lao-China Cooperation Committee, along with Ms. Fang Hong, Ambassador of China to the Lao PDR. Leaders from ministries, sectors, and the four target provinces of the project, as well as representatives from relevant departments and agencies of both countries, were also present.

Mr. Sengdeuane Sayasone, Permanent Vice President of the LCC, explained that the Lao Rural Poverty Alleviation Infrastructure Project, commonly known as the 4×100 Project, consists of four tasks from among eight major projects that President Xi Jinping announced during his state visit to the Lao PDR in 2017. These tasks include: 1) construction of clean water supply systems for 100 households; 2) supplying 22 kV and 0.4 kV electricity with transformers and electricity meters for 100 households; 3) construction of 100 health centers in rural villages; and 4) installation of digital satellite television for all households in 100 villages.

The project follows the principle of giving the recipient country greater involvement in its implementation, with a focus on supporting poor villages in remote rural areas of Laos. The first phase was piloted in Vientiane and Luang Prabang provinces in 2021 and completed in 2022. The second phase, launched in 2023, focused on 40 villages across four northern provinces: Phongsaly (14 villages, 4 districts), Luang Namtha (8 villages, 3 districts), Oudomxay (16 villages, 7 districts), and Houaphan (2 villages, 2 districts). In total, the project benefited more than 7,800 households through 101 sub-projects, valued at over 269 million yuan. Yunnan Provincial Construction, Investment and Holding Group Co., Ltd. served as the construction contractor.

Upon completion, the project provided electricity to 2,435 households in 20 villages, clean water to 5,840 households in 22 villages, health care access to 5,228 households in 19 villages, and television services to 7,868 households, enhancing connectivity and improving quality of life.

On this occasion, Deputy Prime Minister Saleumxay Kommasith expressed his gratitude to the Chinese government for its continuous support in improving infrastructure for rural communities in Laos. He emphasized that the second phase of the 4×100 Project reflects the dedication of both sides in implementing President Xi Jinping’s priority initiatives, contributes to the achievements to be highlighted at the upcoming Lao-China leaders’ meeting in September, and strengthens bilateral cooperation in poverty alleviation and rural development under the framework of the Laos-China shared future partnership.

Looking ahead, both sides will continue preparations for the third and subsequent project phases, aiming to expand implementation to other provinces across the country.

At the ceremony, Mr. Sengdeuane Sayasone presented certificates of appreciation to the Chinese project management unit and the construction company.

KPL