Mr Bounthavy Syhavong (left) and Mr Pu Yuhui display the Letter of Intent.

Pakse partners with Chinese city in tourism cooperation 

A partnership formalised by Pakse City in Champasak province and the Government of Changdu City in the Xizang Autonomous Region of the People’s Republic of China through the signing of a Letter of Intent in Changdu on Tuesday is viewed as a significant step towards advancing the two cities’ tourism industries.
The agreement was signed by the Vice Chairman of Pakse City Administration Committee, Mr Bounthavy Syhavong, and the Vice Mayor of the Changdu Municipal People’s Government, Mr Pu Yuhui, in the presence of senior officials from Laos and Changdu.
The Letter of Intent aims to improve tourism services in Pakse and Changdu.
Mr Bounthavy said collaboration between Pakse and Changdu aimed to foster cultural exchanges and economic growth.
“The two cities have high hopes and aspirations to develop good relations. The signing of the Letter of Intent today is an important step towards concrete and sustainable future cooperation between Pakse and Changdu,” he added.
“The Letter of Intent that we will sign today is not just a document but a symbol of trust, understanding and the firm determination of the two sides to jointly build a stable and sustainable relationship for a better future,” he said.
Pakse City is the gateway to the southern provinces of Laos and the Kingdoms of Thailand and Cambodia. It is the economic, trade, tourism and service centre of Champasak province and southern Laos.
“We have potential in agriculture, tourism, transportation, services and cross-border trade. At the same time, Changdu also has great potential for development, with progress in infrastructure, environmental protection and culture,” Mr Bounthavy said.
The agreement covers several key areas including tourism exchanges,  education, agriculture, and trade, aimed at promoting academic collaboration between the two cities through reciprocal visits by government officials and cooperation that will serve as the basis for creating mutual benefits.
The two sides have agreed on the establishment of friendly relations, adhering to the principles of equality, friendship and mutual benefit.
They will organise reciprocal visits, maintain friendly working relations, and cooperate for mutual benefit and issues of common interest.
Mr Pu Yuhui said the partnership served to further the friendly relations between Laos and China through enhanced understanding and consultations between the two cities
He said “I am confident that after this signing the two cities will jointly establish a close coordination mechanism to define concrete cooperation programmes and projects that will be effective and bring benefits to the people of both cities.”
In the future, the two cities will sign the “Agreement on the Establishment of Friendly Relations between Pakse City, Champasak Province, Laos and China’s Changdu City in Xinjiang”.

By Phetphoxay Sengpaseuth
 (Latest Update August 24, 2026)