Lieutenant General Khamlieng Outhakaisone, Minister of National Defense of the Lao PDR (L)  shake hands with General Dong Jun, Minister of National Defense of the People’s Republic of China, in Beijing on September 19.

During the meeting, both sides highly valued their past cooperation and exchanged views on political, economic, and social developments in their respective countries, with particular attention to defense matters of mutual interest. They reviewed bilateral defense cooperation, discussed future cooperation plans, and addressed regional security issues, including combating terrorism and transnational crime.

The two ministers also noted recent agreements between their defense ministries. These include a memorandum of understanding on repair and maintenance of patrol boats provided by China, and an agreement on Chinese assistance in establishing a tropical disease research center in Laos. Later this month, a Chinese technical team will travel to Laos to conduct field surveys with Lao counterparts in preparation for the project’s implementation.

China has also provided assistance to the Lao People’s Army in other areas, such as supporting the construction of Battalion 19—expected to be completed by the end of 2025—and sending specialists to the Lao Air Force Command to provide flight training.

Following the bilateral meeting, Lt.Gen Khamlieng and his delegation visited the Peacekeeping Affairs Center of the Chinese Ministry of National Defense.

KPL