China backs rural infrastructure development, poverty alleviation

Laos and China have launched the first phase of a Chinese-aided rural infrastructure development and poverty alleviation project in Luang Prabang and Vientiane provinces.
The project will initially be implemented in these two northern provinces and will provide clean water in 17 villages, build seven community hospitals, install electricity in 16 villages, and provide digital television for 30 villages.

Implementation will take at least 18 months and be supported by an agreement between senior officials from the two countries.
The preparations for project implementation were arranged by the Laos-China Cooperation Commission and the Chinese project supervision teams.
The official launch of the project took place in Vientiane on Tuesday, led by Minister and Head of the President’s Office, Mrs Khemmani Pholsena, who is also President of the Laos-China Cooperation Commission, and Chinese Ambassador to Laos, Mr Jiang Zaidong.
Representatives of line ministries, target provinces and project contractors were also present at the ceremony.
The Chinese aided project has eight components and was agreed to by President Xi Jinping during his state visit to Laos in 2017.
The four main priorities of the project, described in short as “4X100”, comprise the installation of clean water systems in 100 villages, construction of 100 dispensaries or community hospitals, supply of electricity for households in 100 villages, and the installation of satellite digital television in 100 villages.
To minimise difficulties in implementing the 400 projects all at once, it was decided to divide them into different phases, batches and focused targets. This will ensure the efficiency of project implementation in every province of Laos.
The first projects will take place in the provinces of Luang Prabang and Vientiane. After the completion of this 18-month operation, the next batch of projects will be carried out in other provinces.
In her speech at the ceremony on Tuesday, Mrs Khemmani thanked the government of China for funding Laos’ rural development and infrastructure and advised the project contractor to ensure the effectiveness of implementation through high-quality construction to bring benefits to rural communities.

By Times Reporters
(Latest Update April 1, 2021)