Wang Yi Holds Virtual Meeting with Lao Foreign Minister Saleumxay Kommasith

On December 3, 2021, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi held a virtual meeting with Lao Foreign Minister Saleumxay Kommasith.

Wang Yi said that today was an important day and a great day for China-Laos relations. General Secretary and President Xi Jinping and Lao General Secretary and President Thongloun Sisoulith had a successful virtual meeting and jointly attended the opening ceremony of the China-Laos Railway. At the conclusion of the 60th anniversary of the establishment of China-Laos diplomatic relations and the Year of China-Laos Friendship, the strategic communication between the top leaders of both parties and countries is of great and far-reaching significance and injects strong momentum into the development of the China-Laos community with a shared future. We should earnestly implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, continuously push forward China-Laos relations, and better benefit the two countries and two peoples.

Wang Yi introduced the important outcomes of the sixth plenary session of the 19th CPC Central Committee, particularly the important and far-reaching significance of its Resolution. He stressed that both China and Laos are socialist countries led by communist parties and share common ideals and striving goals. We should remain true to our aspiration and join hands to make respective contributions to the undertakings of safeguarding socialism and human progress.

Wang Yi said that both sides should make efforts to elevate the mutual strategic trust to a new height, bring the Belt and Road cooperation to a new level, and make new achievements in the people-to-people and cultural exchanges between China and Laos. First, we should maintain high-level strategic communication, intensify exchanges of experience in national governance, jointly strengthen our governing capacity, and safeguard each other's political and institutional security. Second, we should work together to ensure the operation, maintenance and safety of the China-Laos Railway, enhance the comprehensive development along the routes, make the two support each other to form a sound circulation, and synchronize the "hard connectivity" and "soft connectivity", so as to maximize the economic and social benefits. Third, we should make sustained plans for and bring forward the youth, people-to-people, cultural and sub-national exchanges and cooperation, so as to make the spirit of China-Laos community with a shared future rooted in people's hearts and further consolidate the social and public foundations for China-Laos friendship.

Saleumxay extended warm congratulations on the significant fruits of the sixth plenary session of the 19th CPC Central Committee, saying that Laos is exhilarated by the successful meeting between the top leaders of the two parties and two countries, and is proud of the opening of the China-Laos Railway at Laos' national day. This is a valuable gift from the Chinese people to the Lao people and makes the years' dream of Laos come true. Laos sincerely thanks China's strong supports for the fight against the pandemic and the economic recovery of Laos. Laos and China are both socialist countries. Laos absolutely agrees that both sides should strengthen strategic communication, safeguard solidarity and mutual trust, and firmly oppose interference by external forces. Laos is willing to deepen cooperation with China in various fields and promote to present greater achievements in building China-Laos community with a shared future. Laos supports China in hosting a successful Beijing Olympic Winter Games and wishes Chinese athletes good performances.

The two sides had in-depth communication on regional cooperation, agreeing that both sides should take the upgrading of China-ASEAN relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership as an opportunity, implement the important consensus reached at the Summit Commemorating the 30th Anniversary of the Establishment of China-ASEAN Dialogue Relations, and work together to build peaceful, tranquil, prosperous, beautiful and friendly homelands.

Both sides agreed to give full play to the positive effects and driving role of the opening of the China-Laos Railway in regional connectivity, bring the Belt and Road cooperation to a new stage in the region, and enhance coordination and cooperation on implementing the outcomes of the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation Leaders' Meeting.

Both sides agreed to strengthen cooperation regarding the Global Development Initiative. Saleumxay said, President Xi Jinping's important initiative will not only promote China-ASEAN cooperation but also lead the international community to jointly promote global development.

Both sides also exchanged views on Myanmar and other issues.