Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone (left) escorts Chinese Prime Minister Li Qiang to inspect the guard of honour during a state visit at the Prime Minister’s Office on October 12.

Laos, China strengthen cooperation ties, new hospital building hands over 

The governments of Laos and China agreed during Chinese Premier Li Qiang’s visit to continue strengthening the friendly relations that are the foundation of the long-term comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries.
Mr Li made an official state visit to the Lao PDR, while attending the ASEAN Summit in Vientiane during October 9-12, in a bid to promote the bilateral relationship.

Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone (right) and Chinese Prime Minister Li Qiang applaud at the handing over on October 12 of the new building of the Mahosot Hospital that was built with a Chinese grant.

On October 12, the Lao Prime Minister, Mr Sonexay Siphandone, welcomed his Chinese counterpart at the Prime Minister’s Office, at a ceremony attended by the official delegations of the two sides.
The official state visit ceremony was led by Mr Sonexay and Mr Li. Shortly after the ceremony, the two Prime Ministers and their delegations held a meeting to jointly review bilateral cooperation in various fields and determine the direction of collaboration in the future.
On this occasion, Mr Sonexay expressed his warm welcome and high appreciation for the Chinese Premier’s trip to attend the ASEAN Summit and to make an official visit to Laos.
At the same time, he represented the Party, government and people of Laos to convey his greetings to the Party, government and people of China on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China in early October.
The two sides highly valued their friendly relationship, which serves as the foundation of a long-term comprehensive strategic partnership, according to the four directions. The strategic partnership has been continuously enhanced with new quality, both in breadth and depth, and the two sides have jointly implemented the master plan of a new chapter in this strategic partnership during 2024-2028.
The two sides informed each other about the situation in their countries by summarising and evaluating the results of cooperation in the past, and holding in-depth discussions and exchanges of opinions on various aspects of cooperation, such as economic matters, trade and investment.
Two-way trade between Laos and China in the first eight months of 2024 was worth US$5.53 billion, an increase of 26.5 percent, while Laos is ranked among the top foreign investment destinations for China.
The operation of the Laos-China Railway has been successful since its opening, and the rail link has transported more than six million passengers and 10 million tonnes of goods. The implementation of China’s grant and aid programmes too is becoming more and more effective.
The two sides agreed to continue to speed up the implementation and development of the content of the new chapter in the Laos-China strategic partnership for 2024-2028.
The two sides will continue with the mechanism of meeting and exchanging regular visits of senior leaders of both parties, including exchanges for cooperation between the parties, legislative bodies and judicial organisations.
Both sides will continue supporting each other at all regional and international forums, and continue to create a development plan around the Laos-China Railway to ensure the two countries are properly linked and make the most effective use of the rail link.
Both sides are willing to continue to discuss communication connections between China, Laos and Vietnam, including making the connection between southern Laos and Cambodia a reality.
They will continue creating a master plan for economic, trade and technical cooperation between Laos and China, as a basis for implementing formal cooperation projects between the two countries.
Laos and China will also continue cooperation in trade, banking, investment, development of important infrastructure, and tourism.
Mr Sonexay encouraged investors and tourists from China to invest in and travel to Laos, especially during the Visit Laos Year 2024, for which the Lao government has a policy of exempting visas for tourists visiting Laos as a group from abroad, including China.
At the same time, he represented the party, government and the people of Laos in expressing his sincere gratitude to the party, government and people of China, who have supported and helped Laos throughout the past and made a great contribution to the socio-economic development of the country. They have also provided support and assistance in terms of materials, equipment and vehicle,  and provided valuable advice for making the ASEAN chairmanship of the Lao PDR in 2024 a great success.
Mr Li expressed his gratitude for the warm welcome by the Lao leadership and confirmed he will continue to cooperate and support Laos in the work of protecting and developing the nation, especially in connectivity, infrastructure development, trade and investment, development of electric power, and co-development of science and technology, to enhance the bilateral relationship and cooperation day by day.
He congratulated the Lao PDR for the success of its ASEAN chairmanship in 2024.
After the meeting, the two Prime Ministers witnessed the signing of documents by the two sides for cooperation in integration, economic matters and trade, sanitary inspection, green and sustainable development, industry, and science and technology, as well as cooperation between localities of the two countries as part of efforts to upgrade and improve the living conditions of the people.
In the afternoon of the same day, the Chinese Premier and his delegation attended an official reception organised by Mr Sonexay.
The Prime Ministers of Laos and China also participated in a ceremony marking the opening of the new building of Mahosot Hospital that was built with a Chinese grant.

By Bounfaeng Phaymanivong
 (Latest Update October 14, 2024)