Lao, Chinese PMs hold talks on bilateral ties

Prime Minister Phankham Viphavanh and his Chinese counterpart Li Keqiang on Friday agreed during telephone talks to work together to further cement the six-decade bilateral ties between the two neighbours.
Laos and China this year celebrate the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties and Laos-China Friendship Year 2021.
The talks between the two premiers aimed to further enhance the Laos-China comprehensive strategic partnership in the spirit of the four goods - good neighbours, friends, comrades and partners as well as a community with a shared future.
Through Premier Li, the Lao prime minister, on behalf of the government and people of Laos, expressed heartfelt gratitude to China for extending assistance to Laos in response to the Covid-19 outbreak, including the provision of more than a million doses of vaccine.
Mr Phankham congratulated China on the great achievements the country has made in poverty alleviation. He also conveyed warm greetings from Party Secretary General Thongloun Sisoulith, through Premier Li, to the General Secretary of the Communist Party of China’s Central Committee, Xi Jinping.
Mr Phankham informed Premier Li that Secretary General Thongloun would be pleased to visit China at an appropriate time in response to an invitation from General Secretary Xi.
For his part, Premier Li congratulated Mr Phankham on his appointment as the prime minister of Laos. He promised to work with Mr Phankham to deepen bilateral ties, combat Covid-19, and promote bilateral cooperation for tangible results.
The two premiers said they highly valued the traditional friendly relations and comprehensive strategic partnership in the spirit of the four goods between the two Parties, states and peoples.  
They praised the fruitful achievements of bilateral cooperation, notably in infrastructure development as part of the China-initiated Belt and Road Initiative.
These include an expressway linking Vientiane to Boten in Luang Namtha province, on the border with China. The first section of the expressway, linking Vientiane and Vangvieng district in Vientiane province, is open to traffic. Meanwhile, construction of the Laos-China railway is slated for completion at the end of this year.

By Times Reporters
(Latest Update April 26, 2021)