Chinese Premier Meets Lao PresidentPremier Zhu Rongji said Friday China is willing to develop cooperative areas and projects beneficial to both China and Laos.Zhu's remarks came in his meeting with visiting Lao President Khamtay Siphandone. After reviewing the gradual expansion of Chinese investment and labor projects in Laos, Zhu told the Lao president that there is still great potential to tap between the two sides. He called on relevant organs, economic and trade departments in particular, to "explore new ways and ideas" for cooperative areas and projects which have "market demand" and "economic returns" and are beneficial to the "long-term growth" of the Lao economy. Zhu also highly commended the development of Sino-Lao ties, saying that China was satisfied with such growth. The high-level exchanges between the two countries and the Communist Party of China and Lao People's Revolutionary Party "demonstrated the close relationship" between the two countries and the two parties, Zhu said. He added that the good-neighborly and friendly cooperation will be deepened in all fields in the new century. Khamtay told Zhu he was deeply impressed with the progress made by China in socialist under the guidance of Deng Xiaoping Theory, saying such achievements have "greatly encouraged the socialist cause" worldwide. He described the talks between himself and Chinese President Jiang Zemin this morning as "fruitful." He said he and Jiang "reached wide consensus on strengthening bilateral cooperation in all areas in the long term." He said he believed that the Lao-Chinese relationship will see further development in the new century. Zhu also conveyed regards to his Lao counterpart Sisavat Keobounphan. |
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