China, Laos pledge to further develop ties

VIENTIANE, Dec. 2 -- China's top legislator Zhang Dejiang on Wednesday attended here celebrations marking the 40th anniversary of the founding of the Lao People's Democratic Republic.

Zhang, chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress (NPC), is paying a three-day official goodwill visit to Laos from Tuesday to Thursday.

During his meeting with Lao President Choummaly Sayasone on Tuesday afternoon, Zhang delivered to Choummaly a congratulatory letter from Chinese President Xi Jinping.

In the letter, Xi extended warm congratulations to the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP), the Lao government and the people on behalf of the Communist Party of China (CPC), the Chinese government and the people.

China is delighted with the achievements Laos has made in its cause of socialist construction and reform under the leadership of the LPRP in the past 40 years, said Xi, hoping that Laos will make greater achievement in building a strong, rich, harmonious,just, democratic and civilized country.

Xi spoke highly of the relations between the two countries and the two parties, saying China is ready to work with Laos to promote in an in-depth way the China-Laos comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership based on the high-degree mutual trust, mutual assistance and mutual benefit, build an unbreakable community of common destiny between the two countries and jointly make greater contribution to peace, stability and development of the region and the world.

Choummaly, for his part, expressed sincere gratitude to President Xi and asked Zhang to convey his cordial greetings and good wishes to him.

While meeting with Choummaly, Zhang hailed the rapid development of bilateral relations since the two countries forged diplomatic ties 54 years ago, noting China-Laos ties have become a good example of good-neighborliness, friendship, mutual benefit and win-win.

He lauded the successful launch of a Lao communication satellite with a Chinese carrier rocket on Nov. 21 at the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwest China's Sichuan Province, as well as the formal start of the construction of the China-Laos railway on Wednesday, saying they are the manifestation of achievements made in bilateral relations.

The China-Laos railway is the first overseas route that will connect Laos with the vast railway system in China, using Chinese technology, equipment and investment.

The project has a total investment of 40 billion Chinese yuan (about 6 billion U.S. dollars), 70 percent of which comes from China, while 30 percent comes from Laos.

The route starts from Mohan-Boten border area with China, which is a distance of 418 km to Vientiane.

Zhang hoped that the two sides will jointly implement these cooperative projects to ensure that they will play an important role in promoting economic development and social progress in Laos.

Noting that party-to-party exchanges and cooperation is an important part of China-Laos relations, Zhang said the CPC is willing to work with the LPRP to carry out their cooperation plan, deepen strategic communication, cement political mutual trust and enhance experience sharing on party and state governance.

He wished a complete success of the 10th National Party Congress of the LPRP.

Choummaly said Zhang's visit to Laos showed China's support and friendship toward his country, adding that China has always been a reliable strategic partner of Laos.

He expressed gratitude for China's assistance in launching the satellite, Lao Sat-1, and underscored the importance of the construction of the China-Laos railway project.

He believed that through joint efforts from both sides, the friendly cooperation between Laos and China will continue to benefit the peoples of the two countries and the region.