President in Laos for state visit

(China Daily)
Updated: 2006-11-20 05:11

VIENTIANE: President Hu Jintao arrived in the capital of Laos yesterday to start a state visit to the Southeast Asian country.

Hu was invited by Choummaly Sayasone, general-secretary of the Central Committee of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (PRP) and the Lao president.

In a written statement released upon arrival at the airport, Hu spoke highly of the achievements made by the Lao people under the PRP's leadership.

China and the Laos are good neighbours, friends, comrades and partners as the two countries share mountains and waters and enjoy a deep traditional friendship, he said.

Relations between the two parties and the two countries are witnessing a comprehensive and in-depth development marked by political mutual trust, sincere economic co-operation, and mutual support and close co-ordination in international and regional affairs, the Chinese president noted.

Hu said he is looking forward to exchanging views with leaders on bilateral relations and other issues of common concern.

Hu expressed his belief that his current visit will help enhance friendship, mutual trust and co-operation, and help map out future plans to further enhance the development of bilateral relations and co-operation.

In November 2000, former Chinese President Jiang Zemin made a state visit to Laos. As it was the first visit to Laos by a Chinese head of state, it stood out as a milestone in the history of bilateral relations.

During that visit, the Joint Statement on bilateral co-operation was signed and issued, setting the goal of developing bilateral ties of all-round co-operation characterized by long-term stability, good-neighbourliness, friendship and mutual trust.

In June 2006, Laotian President Choummaly Sayasone visited China and held talks with President Hu.

The two countries share a 500-kilometre-long joint boundary. In October 1991, the two signed the Sino-Laotian Boundary Treaty, Treaty on the Sino-Laotian Boundary System and Supplementary Protocol to the Treaty on the Sino-Laotian Boundary System.

Having found a successful solution to their boundary dispute in a relatively short time through friendly consultations, China and Laos have set an example for states striving to resolve boundary questions through peaceful talks.

In 2005, Sino-Laotian trade volume reached US$129 million, up 13.55 per cent from the previous year.

From January to May 2006, bilateral trade volume stood at US$89 million, a year-on-year growth of 106.3 per cent.

Since 1989, China and Laos have signed agreements on cultural and media co-operation as well as memorandums of understanding on co-operation in education, health, broadcasting, films and TV.

There are also frequent exchanges of visits between performing artists, writers and journalists of the two countries. Both sides started to exchange students and vocational trainees in 1990.

Laos is the second leg of Hu's four-nation tour, which will also take him to India and Pakistan.

(China Daily 11/20/2006 page2)