International Desk: Chinese President Xi Jinping and Lao President and General Secretary of the Lao People`s Revolutionary Party Thongloun Sisoulith agreed on Friday in Beijing to elevate bilateral relations to an "all-weather China-Laos community with a shared future for the new era."

During their talks, President Xi said China has always given priority to Laos in its neighborhood diplomacy and stands ready to take bilateral relations to a new level. He noted that enhanced cooperation would bring about a significant leap forward in ties between the two countries.

Xi outlined four key priorities for advancing China-Laos relations: upholding the socialist path, strengthening mutually beneficial cooperation, deepening the traditional friendship between the two peoples, and enhancing coordination on foreign policy.

He stressed that both sides should work together to safeguard their socialist systems and the leadership of their ruling parties, while expanding exchanges on governance and state administration.

Xi also said regional connectivity would be further strengthened through projects including the China-Laos-Thailand railway network, while efforts would continue to upgrade the China-Laos Economic Corridor. Cooperation would also be expanded in agriculture, electricity, artificial intelligence (AI), and the digital economy.

He added that China would continue to provide assistance to Laos within its capacity and make full use of the China-Laos Friendship Year 2026 to deepen cooperation in education, culture and healthcare.

For his part, Thongloun Sisoulith described the visit as highly significant for bilateral relations, noting that it was his first overseas trip since being re-elected. He praised China`s leadership as an important pillar of the global socialist system.

Thongloun reaffirmed Laos` firm commitment to the One-China principle and pledged to strengthen cooperation with China in combating cross-border crimes, including online gambling and telecom fraud.

Following the talks, the two sides signed a series of cooperation agreements covering party-to-party exchanges, public welfare, economy, customs, trade, youth exchanges and media cooperation.

Earlier, President Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan formally welcomed Thongloun Sisoulith and his wife Naly Sisoulith outside the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. A banquet was later held in honor of the Lao guests.

Information and Photo: Xinhua