On the 21st, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with visiting Lao Deputy Prime Minister Sonexay and called for the two countries to strengthen intergovernmental mechanism-based dialogue, promote higher-quality and more efficient connectivity via the China-Laos Railway, jointly build an upgraded version of the China-Laos Economic Corridor, and push for more visible results in regional connectivity and development.
According to China's Foreign Ministry website, Wang Yi met Tuesday in Beijing with Sonexay, member of the Political Bureau of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party Central Committee and Deputy Prime Minister. Sonexay's visit was made as a special envoy of Lao Party General Secretary and President Thongloun to China.
Wang Yi welcomed Sonexay as a special envoy to China, stating that this fully demonstrates the high level of the China-Laos community with a shared future, and expressed confidence that the visit will further enhance mutual strategic trust. He noted that China and Laos are both socialist countries with shared ideals and similar development paths. This year marks the 65th anniversary of China-Laos diplomatic relations and the "China-Laos Friendship Year," presenting important opportunities for the development of bilateral ties.
Wang Yi said that China is willing to maintain high-level exchanges with Laos, strengthen strategic communication, deepen long-term cooperation, safeguard political, regime, and institutional security of both countries, promote the development of the world socialist cause, and make new contributions to regional peace, stability, development, and prosperity.
Wang Yi also called on both sides to strengthen intergovernmental mechanism-based dialogue, promote higher-quality and more efficient connectivity via the China-Laos Railway, jointly build an upgraded version of the China-Laos Economic Corridor, and push for more visible results in regional connectivity and development. He stated that China is willing to leverage its own advantages, align development strategies with Laos, strengthen full industry chain cooperation in minerals, electricity, etc., deepen human resource development, and support Laos' economic transformation and industrial development.
According to the Chinese Foreign Ministry, Sonexay stated that under the strategic guidance of the top leaders of the two Parties and countries, the traditional friendship between Laos and China has become even stronger, political mutual trust has continued to deepen, and pragmatic cooperation has achieved fruitful results. Laos is willing to maintain close high-level exchanges with China, jointly organize a series of events marking the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations, deepen cooperation in connectivity, energy, minerals, and other fields, and build a community with a shared future at a higher level.
Sonexay stated that given the current complex and changing international situation, as like-minded partners who love peace, Laos firmly adheres to the "One China" principle, appreciates China's position and its role in major international and regional affairs, and is willing to strengthen coordination and cooperation with Beijing, and continuously deepen Laos-China comprehensive strategic partnership.