Wang Yi: China ready to expand all-round cooperation with Laos

China is ready to expand all-round and all-field cooperation with Laos, Wang Yi, director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs, said on Wednesday.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, made the remarks when meeting with visiting Lao Vice President Pany Yathotou on the sidelines of the seventh China-South Asia Expo in Kunming, southwest China's Yunnan Province.

Noting that China and Laos are both socialist countries with similar ideals and shared strategic interests, Wang said China is ready to continue to work with Laos to trust and support each other, strengthen the alignment of development strategies so as to bring more tangible benefits to the two peoples.

China supports Laos in assuming the chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) next year and playing a more important role in the international and regional arena, said Wang.

China expects Laos to make new contributions to China-ASEAN cooperation, he added.

For her part, Pany said Laos is willing to work with China to implement the important consensus reached by the top leaders of the two parties and the two countries, maintain close high-level contacts, deepen political mutual trust, and strengthen cooperation in various fields to build a model of the Laos-China community of common destiny.

Lauding the fruitful results of the high-quality joint construction of the Belt and Road by the two sides, Pany said the opening and efficient operation of the Laos-China Railway brings tangible benefits to the Lao people.

Laos always adheres to the one-China principle and fully supports and is willing to actively participate in global development, security and civilization initiatives, she said.

(CGTN)