(KPL) A delegation from the State Audit Organization of the Lao PDR, led by its President Mr. Viengthavisone Thepphachan, paid a working visit to Beijing and Harbin, China, from August 28 to September 4, 2025. The visit was conducted under the framework of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Lao State Audit Organization and the National Audit Office of China.

The Lao delegation was welcomed by Mr. Hou Kai, Auditor General of the National Audit Office of China. Both sides held bilateral discussions and exchanged experiences on key issues, including the role of state audit offices in budget formulation and the application of artificial intelligence (AI) in auditing practices.

During the meetings, the two institutions emphasized the importance of enhancing the traditional friendship and advancing the long-term comprehensive strategic partnership of cooperation. They reaffirmed their commitment to the Four Good Principles and the Lao-China community with a shared future, with the goal of generating lasting benefits for both peoples.

The two sides also reviewed the progress of cooperation achieved in recent years. These included the exchange of visits by senior leaders, regular experience-sharing between regional and provincial audit institutions, and mutual support in regional and international forums.

On this occasion, Mr. Viengthavisone expressed his gratitude to the National Audit Office of China for its warm reception and for sharing valuable expertise. He stressed that the Lao State Audit Organization will continue to strengthen cooperation, particularly in capacity building for Lao auditors.

In response, Mr. Hou Kai voiced confidence that the two institutions will continue to expand comprehensive cooperation and deepen their partnership, thereby advancing the development of state audit institutions in both countries.

As part of the visit, the Lao delegation also traveled to Harbin to co-chair the opening session of the 9th Working Group on Big Data (WGBD), organized by the International Federation of Supreme Audit Institutions (INTOSAI). The meeting was attended by audit institutions from 23 countries.

The WGBD discussions focused on the modernization of public administration and the use of big data systems in various sectors, including agriculture, social security, healthcare, and public financial management. Participants emphasized the importance of connecting databases across public agencies and applying artificial intelligence in state audit work to ensure greater transparency, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness.

KPL