Liu said that General Secretary Xi Jinping has maintained close communication with the General Secretary Thongloun Sisoulith since the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, which has charted the course for the development of China-Lao relations. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative. The Chinese side welcomes General Secretary Thongloun to attend the Third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, which fully demonstrates the great importance Laos attaches to the relations between the two Parties and countries and the Belt and Road Initiative. The IDCPC is willing to collaborate with its Lao counterpart to ensure the success of General Secretary Thongloun’s visit and participation in the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation. We are willing to implement the important consensus reached by the top leaders of both Parties and countries, strengthen strategic coordination, and enhance high level exchanges and communication at all levels. We are willing to maintain and advance the building of a China-Laos community with a shared future, and make new contributions to promoting regional unity, cooperation and common development.

Thongsavanh agreed with Liu's comments and views on the relations between the two Parties and the two countries, saying that the Lao side attaches great importance to its relations with the CPC and the Chinese government, and wholeheartedly supports and fully participates in the Belt and Road cooperation. The completion and smooth operation of the Laos-China Railway have an important demonstration significance under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative, and have strongly promoted the economic and social development of Laos. The Lao side is willing to work with the Chinese side to make the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation a complete success, and take this visit as an opportunity to strengthen strategic communication between the two Parties, further promote the building of the Laos-China community with a shared future, deepen practical cooperation in various fields, and bring more benefits of the Laos-China community with a shared future and the Belt and Road cooperation to the two peoples. The Lao side will assume the rotating presidency of ASEAN next year and is ready to work with the Chinese side to push for greater development of China- ASEAN relations.

Zhao Shitong, Assistant-minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, was also present at the meeting.

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