China, Laos eye closer cooperation

BEIJING - Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Thursday met with Laotian President Bounnhang Vorachit, calling for closer cooperation with the neighboring country in key areas, including traffic infrastructure, agriculture, education and tourism.

Li said China and Laos are friendly neighbors, and the fruitful talks held Wednesday between the leaders of the two countries lifted bilateral ties to a new level.

China is willing to consolidate the long-term friendship between the two political parties and countries and build China-Laos community of shared future on the basis of mutual respect and support, said Li.

Li said China stood ready to work with Laos to enhance cooperation in key areas, including traffic infrastructure, agriculture, education and tourism, in the hope of enhancing the comprehensive strategic partnership of cooperation in multiple areas and levels.

He said China supported Chinese enterprises with a reputation and the capability to invest in Laos to achieve win-win cooperation.

Bounnhang, also general secretary of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party Central Committee, spoke highly of China's achievements and the long-term support it had provided to Laos.

As a comprehensive strategic partner of China, Laos is ready to further advance mutually beneficial cooperation with China on infrastructure, agriculture, education and medical care and enhance people-to-people exchanges to forge ahead bilateral ties, he said.

Zhao Leji, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and Secretary of the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, also met with Bounnhang Thursday.

Both sides agreed to enhance communication and cooperation on anti-corruption.