Chinese Premier Meets Laotian GuestChinese Premier Zhu Rongji met Thursday with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Laos Somsavat Lengsavad.Zhu welcomed Somsavat on a tour which coincides with the 40th anniversary of the establishment of Sino-Laotian ties. Zhu said he is very glad to see the sound cooperation between the two countries in all fields in the last 10 years. Zhu said that Sino-Laotian good neighborly relations have maintained development momentum at the turn of the century, adding that Chinese President Jiang Zemin visited Laos last year, and the issuing of the Joint Statement has set the aim and direction for bilateral relations in the new century. He noted that the development of long and stable relationship of good neighborliness, mutual trust and all-round cooperation constitutes Chinese government's policy. China and Laos have a solid foundation for cooperation, and China is ready to promote cooperation with Laos in trade, investment, and agricultural fields, and work with Laos in regional and international dialogue and cooperation. Somsavat expressed gratitude for the Chinese government's support in the cause of national construction. He said that the exchange of visits between heads of state of Laos and China last year turned a new leaf for their bilateral relations. Somsavat added that Laos will promote its contacts with the Chinese government and party, and expand bilateral economic and trade cooperation according to the Joint Statement of the two countries. |
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