Chinese FM Holds Talks with Lao Deputy Prime MinisterChinese Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan Tuesday held talks with visiting Lao Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Somsavat Lengsavad.Tang said China and Laos are friendly neighbors and the development of bilateral relations over the past four decades has been marked by the mainstream of friendship and cooperation. Somsavat is visiting China on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relationship between the two countries. In recent years, Tang said, exchanges of high-level visits have been frequent and cooperation in various fields has deepened, Tang said. The two countries have supported and cooperated with each other in regional and international affairs, he said. During Chinese President Jiang Zemin's successful state visit to Laos last November, a joint declaration on bilateral cooperation was signed by the two sides, which clearly defined the bilateral relationship in the new century, the Chinese foreign minister added. Tang said China is willing to work with Laos to enhance friendly cooperation with Laos in various fields and make unremitting efforts to establish a long-term, stable, good-neighborly and all-round cooperative relationship of mutual trust between the two countries. Somsavat spoke highly of Laos-China relations and expressed thanks for the help and support given by the Chinese government to Laos over the years. He said the exchange of visits by top-leaders last year opened a new chapter in their bilateral relationship. He said the Lao party, government and people attach great importance to, and would continue to enhance their traditional friendship and all-round cooperation with China. |
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