(KPL) Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Phoxay Khaykhamphithoune met with Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs of China Nong Rong in Vientiane on Mar 11.

Expressing warm welcome to the Chinese official, Deputy Minter Phoxay highly valued the visit to Laos by the Chinese official and his delegation as a contribution to enhancing the relations and cooperation between Laos and China, especially between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of the two countries, and to deepening Laos-China community of shared future.

The host deputy minister appreciated the opening of China’s National People’s Congress and the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference.

Both sides exchanged points of view on cooperation and relations between the two countries, especially on foreign affairs and cooperation directions for years to come.

They highly valued traditional relations and comprehensive, firm and long-lasting strategic partnership in line with the four-good directions and Laos-China community of a shared future which has been constantly promoted over recent years.

The relations and cooperation in various fields have yielded satisfactory results and have been enhanced constantly.

Both sides agreed to further strengthen the relations and cooperation in various areas.

Laos-China Railway constitutes a major connectivity achievement for Laos and China, promoting bilateral cooperation on economy, trade, and people-to-people exchange between the two countries.

Laos and China will soon launch a cross-border train between Vientiane and Kunming in April and reopen Laos-China flights.

Both sides also discussed the exchange of visits of high ranking officials at all levels, agreed to continue to promote the restoration of regular exchange of visit between the two countries especially between the ministries of foreign affairs and the promotion of human resource development of the Lao ministry.

They also discussed cooperation under ASEAN-China and Lanexang-Mekong frameworks and Belt and Road Initiative.

The Chinese side extended invitation to Laos for the 3rd Belt and Road Summit and 6th China International Import Expo.

The Chinese official assured the Lao side that he will encourage Chinese tourists to visit Laos and promote Laos as a destination for Chinese group tour travel to promote economic recovery in the Lao PDR, and increase importing agricultural produce and beef from the country.

He also expressed support for the opening of a Lao consulate-general in Chongqing.

The host expressed sincere gratitude to the Party, government and people of China for their support and assistance to Laos, especially in areas of health and education.

He also informed the Chinese official about Laos’ preparation for its ASEAN Chairmanship in 2024 and asked the Chinese side to consider allowing Lao students to return to China to resume their study.

On the same day, Nong Rong also paid a courtesy call to Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Saleumxay Kommasith.

KPL