Thinsom village benefits from China-Laos sister village link

Thinsom village in Luang Prabang province has gained its first kindergarten thanks to the China Communications Construction Group (CCCG) through its subsidiary, the China International Water & Electric Corporation (CWE).
The newly completed kindergarten has provided nearly 40 children with access to early childhood education, marking a significant development for the remote mountain village. The project forms part of a broader China-Laos sister village cooperation initiative linking Thinsom village with Shibadong village in Hunan province, China.
The scheme has its roots in the concept of Targeted Poverty Alleviation, first proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping during a visit to Shibadong village in 2013.
Since then, Shibadong has transformed from an impoverished mountain village into a model of rural development, with its experience widely cited in China’s poverty reduction efforts.
In 2023, Shibadong village and Thinsom village signed an intention agreement at the Shibadong Forum on Poverty Reduction and Development, themed “Sharing Poverty Reduction Experience, Building Beautiful Villages”. The agreement established an International Sister Village partnership aimed at fostering rural revitalisation and experience sharing.
In November 2024, Director of the Shibadong Village Committee Mr Shi Jintong visited Thinsom village to attend the China-Laos Folk Friendship Storytelling Session, where he shared Shibadong’s poverty alleviation experience.
Representatives of the China International Water & Electric Corporation also introduced environmental, social and governance initiatives based on theme “No One Should Be Left Behind”.
Following the visit, CCCG reached an agreement with Shibadong village to foster rural revitalisation through international cooperation. Leveraging its overseas development experience, CCCG launched a series of assistance programmes for Thinsom village, with implementation entrusted to the Lao branch of the China International Water & Electric Corporation.
According to the General Manager of the CWE Lao Branch Mr Wang Jiang, Shibadong’s experience provided valuable guidance for the support programme in Thinsom village. He said the aim was to make Thinsom a model of international cooperation in poverty alleviation and rural development.
In early 2025, under the coordination of the CCCG and the Consulate General of China in Luang Prabang, a CWE working group visited Thinsom village to identify local needs. Villagers highlighted key challenges, including a lack of irrigation and the absence of a kindergarten.
In July 2025, Chinese Consul General to Luang Prabang Mr Zhang Sheping and Luang Prabang Mayor Mr Saveuy Silavanh attended a groundbreaking ceremony to kick off construction of a kindergarten. A China-Laos Friendship Forest was also established nearby to symbolise bilateral ties.
The kindergarten was the first initiative completed under the Shibadong–Thinsom sister village cooperation framework and part of CCCG’s “Infrastructure+Industry+Education” assistance programme.
In addition to the kindergarten, the CWE Lao Branch repaired an 8.6-kilometre irrigation channel, restoring water flow to farmland. The company also established the Lancang-Mekong Reading Room at Thinsom village Primary School, providing children with books and learning materials.
Village Chief Mr Padit Sipaseuth said these developments had addressed local needs and bolstered the village’s long-term development, particularly in education and agriculture.
At the kindergarten handover ceremony, children performed traditional Lao dances and songs, while villagers presented guests with flower garlands and local produce.
The China International Water & Electric Corporation has operated in Laos for more than three decades, undertaking projects ranging from power generation to education and community development. The company said it remains committed to consultation, contribution, and shared benefits.
Consul General Mr Zhang Sheping said he hoped the development experience of Shibadong village would contribute to Thinsom village’s future progress, described the partnership as an example of China–Laos collaboration in rural development.

By Advertorial Desk
(Latest Update December 22, 2025)