China's Xi holds talks with Lao leader to enhance ties

　　BEIJING, May 3, 2016 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) holds talks with Lao President Bounnhang Vorachit in Beijing, capital of China, May 3, 2016.(Xinhua/Pang Xinglei)

BEIJING, May 3 (Xinhua) -- President Xi Jinping held talks with visiting Lao President Bounnhang Vorachit on Tuesday.

This is Bounnhang's first visit to China since he became General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party in January and was elected president of Laos in April.

Xi, who also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC)Central Committee, said the visit showed the Lao side attached great importance to Laos-China ties. He called on both sides to seize opportunities to improve bilateral comprehensive strategic cooperation.

The traditional friendship between the two countries is their shared treasure, Xi said, stressing that China was ready to work with Lao new leadership to build a community with a shared future.

Xi called on the two socialist countries to enhance high-level contact, maintain a high level of political mutual trust, improve exchanges between the two ruling parties and promote mutual learning in governance.

The two sides can integrate their development strategies, strengthen pragmatic cooperation, expand people-to-people exchanges and enhance collaboration on security affairs, according to Xi.

The Chinese president also hoped the two countries will further coordinate in international affairs, including cooperation between China and ASEAN.

Echoing Xi, Bounnhang said he believed this visit will improve high-level mutual trust and that the new leadership of Laos will continue to push forward relations between the two parties, the two countries and the two peoples.

Bounnhang thanked China for its support to Laos' holding the ASEAN's rotating chair this year.

Speaking highly of China's development, Bounnhang said he believed China will continue to contribute to peaceful regional and world development.

The two leaders witnessed the signing of a series of cooperative documents.