Laos sees the upcoming China-ASEAN Commemorative Summit as an opportunity to expand economic and trade co-operation with China, according to its ambassador in Beijing Vichit Xindavong.

Xindavong pinned high hopes on the project, saying he expected leaders to come up with new ideas, measures and decisions that would bring substantial benefits to people on all sides.

The ambassador said Laos would be the biggest beneficiary from Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS) co-operation, which is under the framework of China-ASEAN co-operation, as over 80 per cent of the country's population live along the river and its tributaries.

"We are happy to see that China and ASEAN have taken GMS development as an important part of China-ASEAN co-operation."

Xindavong noted that the trade volume between Laos and China remains relatively low compared with volumes between China and other ASEAN countries, despite the remarkable bilateral trade growth in the recent years.

He said this was due to a lack of information exchange between business people of the two countries.

"I hope buyers and sellers in China and Laos can have more direct contacts, through sharing information, exchanging visits, attending seminars and exhibitions, so as to broaden the scope of mutual trade," said the ambassador.

The Commemorative Summit, marking the 15th anniversary of China-ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Dialogue Relations, will be held in Nanning, capital of South China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, at the end of the month.