Laos, China sign more deals

Laos and China have signed a new package of cooperation documents, which is expected to take collaboration between the two nations to new heights.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced this week that President Bounnhang Vorachit and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping have signed a bilateral cooperation master plan, which sets clearer directions and action plans for the two countries to follow in building a Laos-China community with a shared future.
The presidents of the neighbouring countries also witnessed the signing of 10 cooperation documents between their two nations in Bejing this week, according to a media release from the ministry.

The documents were designed to strengthen cooperation in the fields of economics, trade, investment and agriculture.
President Bounnhang paid a state visit to China and attended the second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation held in Beijing from April 25 to May 1. His visit was in response to an invitation from President Xi.
During the visit, President Bounnhang and his delegation were offered a tour of Fujian province. This area on the southeast coast of the Chinese mainland is known as the province that the President Xi administered for 18 years.
During his tour of the province, President Bounnhang was greeted by the Fujian Provincial Party Secretary and People’s Congress Chairman Yu Weiguo and local officials.  
Speaking at a welcome ceremony, Mr Yu said he highly valued the visit by Laos’ top leader, adding that the visit would be a significant contribution to the building of relations between Laos and China.
He also briefed President Bounnhang on some of the province’s programmes initiated by authorities to put into practice the ideas of President Xi concerning the development of socialism with Chinese characteristics.
One of the notable successes which the Lao president was briefed on by Mr Yu was the achievements of provincial authorities in implementing poverty reduction programmes.
President Bounnhang thanked Mr Yu and provincial authorities for their warm and friendly welcome and generous hospitality.
He also praised the achievements of the provincial authorities in implementing the opening-up policy and poverty reduction programmes. He expressed his belief that provincial authorities would see more successes in their mission in the future.
During talks between the Lao and Chinese provincial delegations, the two sides agreed to encourage their business operators to invest in areas of potential.
As part of the Fujian tour programme, President Bounnhang witnessed the signing of an agreement on cooperation between Luang Prabang and Fujian provinces. He also attended a Visit Laos-China Year Exhibition, the Science and Technology Centre, and places of historical and cultural interest.  

ByEkaphone Phouthonesy
(Latest Update May 3, 2019)