Kunming, September 16th—Song Tao, Minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, met here today with Sounthone Xayachack, Head of the Commission for External Relations of the Central Committee of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP). This is the first face-to-face meeting held by leaders of the two Parties’ international department and commission for external relations since the outbreak of COVID-19. The two sides exchanged in-depth views on overcoming the impact of the epidemic, strengthening communication between the two Parties, and promoting the two countries’ cooperation in various fields. 

Song welcomed Sounthone for leading a delegation of the LPRP to visit China. He added that last year General Secretary Xi Jinping signed the action plan to build Laos-China community with a shared future with General Secretary of the LPRP Central Committee Bounnhang Vorachit, which had pointed out the direction for the development of relations between the two Parties and two countries, leading the bilateral relations to enter the best period in the history. Since the outbreak of COVID-19, General Secretary Xi and General Secretary Bounnhang have maintained close communication, and guided the two sides to carry out effective anti-epidemic cooperation. The pandemic has not cut off the friendly relationship between China and Laos, but further witnessed the brother-like relations of the two sides featuring helping and supporting each other. Currently, the two sides are actively implementing the important consensus reached by top leaders of the two Parties and two countries, and have achieved fruitful outcomes in cooperation on the fields of politics, economy, security, people-to-people and ecology.

Song noted that in the context of the accelerated evolution of international changes, it is crucial for the Chinese side and the Lao side to deepen strategic dialogue and political mutual trust. Both China and Laos adhere to the leadership of the communist party, uphold the path of socialism, and stick to promoting the construction of a community with a shared future for mankind. The Chinese side is willing to deepen exchanges of experience with the Lao side in state governance and administration, and firmly grasp the right direction for developing the two countries’ relations. The Chinese side stands ready to work with the Lao side to promote the construction of major projects such as the China-Laos Railway and economic corridor and jointly build the China-Laos health community, so as to bring more concrete benefits to the two peoples. The Chinese side appreciates that the Lao side focuses on China-Laos relations as well as world peace and development, sticks to the right position, and firmly supports the Chinese side on issues concerning the core interests of the Chinese side. The Chinese side is willing to work with the Lao side to stay unity and coordination to safeguard the security of the two countries’ socialist system, jointly maintain peace and stability of the region and the world, and promote common prosperity and development. Song mainly briefed on the main content of the third volume of “Xi Jinping: The Governance of China”, and the important outcome gained in China’s fight against poverty. He wished the 11th National Congress of the LPRP to be held early next year a success.

Sounthone expressed that he is glad that leaders of the international department of the CPC and the commission for external relations of the LPRP can take the lead to meet each other amid the normalization of epidemic prevention and control. The Lao side pays close attention to China’s major achievements gained in areas such as epidemic prevention and control, economic and social recovery, holding the view that these results can only be achieved under the leadership of General Secretary Xi and the CPC. The Lao side expressed sincere appreciation for the important help given by CPC and the Chinese government to Laos in epidemic prevention and control, as well as economic and social development. The Lao side attaches great importance to and fully promotes the implementation of the action plan to build Laos-China community with a shared future, and stands ready to strengthen exchanges of experience in party governance and state administration with the CPC, especially to learn from the important ideas and concept of the third volume of “Xi Jinping: The Governance of China”. The Lao side is willing to promote the two countries to deepen pragmatic cooperation in various fields, especially the construction of the Laos-China Railway, and learn from China’s successful practices in poverty-alleviation, so as to advance the economic development and the improvement of people’s livelihood in Laos. The Lao side’s view on major international issues is highly consistent with that of the Chinese side. The Lao side is willing to strengthen coordination with the Chinese side and jointly safeguard world fairness and justice.

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