Deputy Prime Minister Mr Saleumxay Kommasith chairs a meeting of the Laos-China Cooperation Committee last Thursday.

Laos-China cooperation body reports strong gains in 2025

The value of trade between Laos and China surpassed US$9.8 billion, Chinese investment in Laos climbed to US$18 billion, and more than 1 million Chinese tourists visited the country last year, the Laos-China Cooperation Committee reported at its annual meeting last week.
While reviewing the progress made in 2025, the Committee also outlined key priorities for 2026, focusing on infrastructure development, agricultural trade, and maximising the potential of the Boten-Mohan rail link to further boost tourism.
The meeting was chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Committee Chairman, Mr Saleumxay Kommasith. Participants included deputy ministers, the Vice Mayor of Vientiane, deputy governors representing the committee, and officials from central and local sectors of government. Chinese Ambassador to Laos Ms Fang Hong was also present.
The Committee’s Standing Vice Chairperson and Head of Office of the Laos-China Cooperation Committee, Ms Sengdeuane Sayasone, highlighted the Committee’s accomplishments in economic and technical cooperation, trade, investment, tourism, and human resource development.
Projects completed through Chinese grants last year included Phase 2 of the upgrade of Mahosot Hospital, the rural poverty reduction infrastructure project (4x100 Phase 2), the Oudomxay Skills Development Centre, and distance learning programmes.
The value of bilateral trade totalled US$9.817 billion, a 19.3 percent increase from 2024. Lao exports to China rose by 20.7 percent to reach US$5.495 billion in value, while the value of imports from China increased by 17.6 percent to US$4.322 billion.
China remains the largest foreign investor in Laos, with cumulative investment of US$18 billion, focused on industry, handicrafts, agriculture, and mining.
The tourism sector also recorded strong growth, with 1.036 million Chinese nationals visiting Laos from January to November 2025, a 24.32 percent increase compared to 2024.
In human resource development, 198 short-term training programmes were conducted in Laos and China, benefiting 2,227 participants.
The Committee identified key directions to strengthen Laos-China ties and promote sustainable development in 2026. Officials underscored the need to accelerate large-scale infrastructure projects, including resolving land issues along the Laos-China Railway and building expressways.
They also highlighted the importance of expanding agricultural market access under SPS standards to increase trade opportunities. Additionally, the Committee stressed the need to maximise the potential of the Boten-Mohan rail link between Laos and China to further boost tourism and economic links.
Deputy Prime Minister Mr Saleumxay Kommasith noted that 2026 marks the 65th anniversary of Laos-China diplomatic relations and gave advice on ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation.
He said grants provided by China should be used for projects that improve the living standards of the Lao people and called for more Chinese investment, giving priority to projects that are economically viable and environmentally sustainable.
Mr Saleumxay also stressed the importance of utilising infrastructure such as the Laos-China Railway to attract investors and support economic growth.
He encouraged continued implementation of the Laos-China Economic Corridor (2019-2030) and the 2nd Master Plan on Building the Laos-China Community with a Shared Future (2024-2028).

By Times Reporters
(Latest Update February 2, 2026)