Chinese FM holds talks with Lao counterpart

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi (R) holds talks with his Lao counterpart Saleumxay Kommasith in Beijing, capital of China, Aug. 3, 2016. (Xinhua/Zhang Ling)

BEIJING, Aug. 4 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Wednesday held talks with his Lao counterpart Saleumxay Kommasith, vowing to further advance bilateral ties.

Calling Laos "a close neighbor" of China, Wang said the two countries have always supported each other and enjoyed solid foundation of cooperation and broad prospect of development.

China will firmly follow a friendly policy towards Laos and have full confidence in the future of bilateral ties, he said.

He said China is willing to work with Laos to prepare for the attendance of Lao President Bounnhang Vorachit at the G20 Hangzhou Summit in September and better synergize the strategies of the two countries.

Wang called for the early start of the construction of a railway between China and Laos and enhanced cooperation in areas including industrial parks, border trade, energy, infrastructure construction, law enforcement and people-to-people exchanges.

Saleumxay said this year is of great importance in the history of bilateral relations as it marks the 55th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Laos and China.

He appreciated China's long-term assistance to Laos, saying his country is willing to work with China to implement consensus reached by the two presidents.

Laos is the rotating chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) this year.

Both Wang and Saleumxay agreed that the two countries need to hold a successful commemorative meeting marking the 25th anniversary of dialogue relationship between China and ASEAN this year.

Wang said China has always taken the ASEAN as the priority of China's diplomacy with neighboring countries, adding that China supports ASEAN in playing a bigger role in international and regional affairs.