President stresses need to defend the socialist system, bolster exchanges

President Xi Jinping has called for advancing the construction of the China-Laos community with a shared future toward higher standard, higher quality and higher level.

Xi, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks on June 5 during his talks in Beijing with Thongloun Sisoulith, general secretary of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party Central Committee and Lao president, who concluded his five-day state visit to China on June 6.

Xi emphasized that China always regards Laos as important in its neighborhood diplomacy, and firmly supports Laos in pursuing a socialist path that suits its national conditions.

He expressed China’s willingness to work with Laos to carry forward the traditional friendship, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation and strengthen unity and coordination to elevate China-Laos relations to a new level, jointly building an all-weather China-Laos community with a shared future in the new era.

To advance China-Laos relations, Xi said that both countries should jointly defend the socialist system and the ruling status of the Communist Party, maintain close strategic communication, effectively implement the new five-year cooperation plan between the two parties and deepen exchanges on governance experience.

He underlined the need to leverage the establishment of a “3+3” strategic dialogue mechanism for diplomacy, national defense and public security, in order to deepen law enforcement and security cooperation as well as firmly combat transnational crimes.

Xi called for solidifying the foundation of mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries, saying that China is willing to strengthen strategic alignment with Laos and expand growth drivers for bilateral cooperation.

Efforts should be made to promote development along the China-Laos Railway and upgrade the quality of cooperation in the China-Laos economic corridor, he said.

Xi also emphasized the need to accelerate the construction of the China-Laos-Thailand railway project to achieve more mutual connectivity in the region at an earlier date.

Cooperation in traditional sectors, such as agriculture and electricity, should be boosted while collaboration in new sectors, such as artificial intelligence and the digital economy, should be explored, he said.

Xi called on both countries to use the Year of China-Laos Friendship as an opportunity to expand cooperation in culture, education, health and subnational exchanges, and enhance mutual understanding and affinity between the people of the two countries.

China is willing to work with Laos to implement a talent training program and create more “small and beautiful” livelihood projects, he said.

Xi also underscored the need for both sides to strengthen coordination of foreign policies, saying that China looks forward to Laos playing a greater role in international and regional affairs.

The trip marked Thongloun’s first overseas visit since being reelected as general secretary of the LPRP Central Committee and Lao president, and it coincides with the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Laos.

Before his trip to Beijing, the Lao top leader visited Hangzhou in Zhejiang province.

Thongloun said that during this state visit, he has witnessed the tremendous achievements China has made under the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era.

He said that China has become a banner that leads the development of the socialist system and developing countries, and a pillar for maintaining global peace and promoting a multipolar world.

Noting that the Laos-China relationship is at its best level in history, Thongloun said that Laos firmly adheres to the one-China principle and supports the major global initiatives proposed by Xi.

Laos is willing to work with China to bolster cooperation in various fields, he said.

The two leaders witnessed the signing of cooperation documents in multiple fields, including party-to-party exchanges, livelihood enhancement, and trade.

Also on June 5, the Lao top leader held separate meetings with Premier Li Qiang, and Zhao Leji, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, China’s top legislature.

Contact the writers at caodesheng@chinadaily.com.cn