China, Laos agree to boost military exchanges, cooperation

Lao President Bounnhang Vorachith (R), shakes hands with visiting Chinese State Councilor and Defense Minister Chang Wanquan, in Vientiane, Laos, on Sept. 14, 2017. (Xinhua/Li Mangmang)

VIENTIANE, Sept. 16 (Xinhua) -- China and Laos have vowed to deepen bilateral high-level military exchanges and cooperation during a visit by Chinese State Councilor and Defense Minister Chang Wanquan to Laos which concluded on Saturday.

During his four-day visit, Chang met with General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party and Lao President Bounnhang Vorachit and held talks with Lao Defense Minister Chansamone Chanyalath.

Chang also co-chaired the first China-Laos high-level frontier meeting between the two armed forces with the Lao defense minister.

The two sides expressed satisfaction with the development of the friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries and two militaries, and promised to fully implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries and two parties, according to a joint statement issued on Saturday.

They agreed that the first China-Laos high-level frontier meeting between the two armed forces was a full success, highlighting the unity and friendship between the two militaries and contributing to the building of peaceful, friendly, stable and prosperous borders between the two countries.

They also agreed to improve cooperation mechanism, deepen pragmatic cooperation, strengthen multilateral coordination, continue to conduct friendly border communication and cooperation, and organize regular activities of joint patrols and joint anti-terrorism.

The Chinese side expressed its readiness to support Laos' army building and development, and pledged to continue providing assistance to the Lao army within its capacity.

During his stay in Laos, Chang also visited the Kaysone Phomvihane National Defence Academy, and paid tribute to the Chinese martyrs cemetery in Laos.