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Spotlight: China-Laos ties at all-time high

Xinhua, December 1, 2015 Adjust font size:

China and Laos have witnessed increased cooperation and linkage in various fields over the past years, and China's relations with the Southeast Asian country are now at an all-time high.

HIGH POLITICAL MUTUAL TRUST

Frequent exchanges at various levels have been conducted between the two countries in recent years, contributing a lot to the development of the bilateral ties.

This year, Lao President Choummaly Sayasone has been to Beijing to attend activities to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and World War II.

On the occasion, Choummaly held talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee,

In 2014, Choummaly, also general secretary of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP) Central Committee, paid several visits to China.

Meanwhile, Lao Prime Minister Thongsing Thammavong have held meetings with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang at international events.

The two countries have witnessed frequent interactions over the past years, and bilateral cooperation in security, education, culture, science and technology have yielded fruitful results.

China and Laos have also cooperated closely at multi-lateral mechanisms, such as the United Nations, ASEAN-China, ASEAN-China, Japan, South Korea (10+3), the Greater Mekong Subregion, among others, which play a positive role in safeguarding peace, stability in the region and beyond.

BOOMING TRADE AND INVESTMENT

Laos is one of the countries staying within the Belt and Road initiative proposed by China.

Though being included among least developed countries in the world, Laos has strong economic complementarity with Chinese economy.

The rapid development of bilateral trade and economic relations in recent years has helped realize the common development of mutual benefit.

China has become the biggest foreign investor and donor in Laos, and the second largest trading partner of the Southeast Asian country.

As of end of October, China invested some 5.71 billion U.S. dollars in Laos cumulatively. During the first ten months of 2015, China's foreign direct investment in Laos reached 1.22 billion U.S. dollars, an increase of 60.7 percent year-on-year.

In the past years, more and more Chinese enterprises have entered Lao markets, expanding Chinese investment in various areas.

In November alone, apart from the satellite and railway projects, five other large-scale projects between China and Laos were launched or completed.

MORE CULTURAL EXCHANGES

China and Laos have also seen more and more cultural and people-to-people exchanges in recent years.

According to statistics, after one year of operation, the Chinese Cultural Center in Laos, inaugurated in Nov. 2014, has hosted over 30 cultural events, attracting participation of Lao people from all walks of life.

The Ecole Chnoise Lieu-Tou, which is famous for Chinese language teaching, has also been the most attractive destination for primary and secondary education in Laos.

At present, some 2,700 students are studying in 52 classes at Ecole Chnoise Lieu-Tou. Endit