Roundup: Chinese President Xi Jinping in Laos for state visit

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, arrived in Laos on Monday for a state visit as the two socialist countries are seeking to consolidate their traditional friendship.

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, arrives in Vientiane, Laos for a state visit on November 13, 2017. [Photo: Xinhua/Ma Zhancheng]

It marks the first visit in 11 years by a Chinese head of state and top CPC leader to this neighboring country in Southeast Asia.

In a written speech delivered upon arrival at the airport, Xi Jinping extended sincere regards and best wishes to the brotherly LPRP, the Lao government and the Lao people on behalf of the CPC, the Chinese government and the Chinese people.

Both as Communist-led socialist countries, China and Laos are truly "good neighbors, friends, comrades and partners," Xi said.

Since the two countries established diplomatic ties 56 years ago, the traditional good neighborly and friendly relations have stood the test of international vicissitudes and have become even stronger, Xi said.

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, arrives in Vientiane, Laos for a state visit on November 13, 2017. [Photo: Xinhua/Ma Zhancheng]

The in-depth development of bilateral comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership has not only brought tangible benefits to the two countries and peoples, but also contributed to the peace, stability and prosperity in the region and the world at large, he said.

"I believe with concerted efforts of both sides, my visit will achieve our desired results, lift our relationship to a new high and bring greater benefits to our two peoples," he added.

Xi Jinping was greeted by senior party and state leaders of Laos at the airport.

Banners bearing welcome slogans in the Chinese and Lao languages "Warmly welcome the state visit by Comrade Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee and Chinese president, to Laos," are seen hanging on the main streets in Vientiane, November 13, 2017. [Photo: China Plus/Tu Yun]

Huge portraits of Xi and Bounnhang, as well as banners bearing welcome slogans in the Chinese and Lao languages "Warmly welcome the state visit by Comrade Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee and Chinese president, to Laos," were seen hanging on the main streets of the Lao capital Vientiane.

Xi Jinping met Bounnhang Vorachit, general secretary of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP) Central Committee and president of Laos on Monday.

Chinese President Xi Jinping (left) meets with Bounnhang Vorachit on November 13, 2017. [Photo: Xinhua]

Speaking highly of each other's development achievements, the two presidents agreed to strengthen exchanges and mutual learning, and push forward China's reform and opening up and Laos' reform and renewal.

The two countries will continue to hold the spirit of good neighbors, good friends, good comrades and good partners, consolidate the China-Laos traditional friendship, and strive to lift their long-standing and stable comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership to a new stage, they said.

Chinese President Xi Jinping (left) meets with Bounnhang Vorachit on November 13, 2017. [Photo: Xinhua]

The two leaders also exchanged in-depth views on international and regional issues of common concern, and reached important consensuses.

In addition, Chinese President Xi Jinping met with former Lao President Choummaly Saygnasone, also former general secretary of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP) Central Committee in Vientiane on Monday.

Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with former Lao President Choummaly Saygnasone in Vientiane on November 13, 2017. [Photo: Xinhua/Ding Lin]

Xi spoke highly of the significant contributions made by Choummaly over the past decade in promoting a leap-forward development in China-Laos relations, cementing their traditional friendship and boosting bilateral cooperation in all areas when he served as the top party and state leader of Laos.

He expressed the hope that Choummaly will continue to support the development of the China-Laos relations and play a role in ensuring that the bilateral ties always travel along the right track.

Choummaly extended his congratulations on the historic outcomes achieved at the 19th CPC National Congress, especially the inclusion of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era into the CPC Constitution.

On a welcome banquet for visiting Chinese President Xi Jinping, Bounnhang Vorachit said in his speech that Xi's state visit will deepen the traditional friendship of China and Laos, as well as promote the comprehensive strategic cooperation between the two countries.

Chinese President Xi Jinping attends a welcome banquet held by Bounnhang Vorachit in Vientiane on November 13, 2017. [Photo: Xinhua/Ma Zhancheng]

In his remark, Xi Jinping said that China is willing to join Laos to promote friendship, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, push the comprehensive strategic partnership of cooperation to new heights and build the China-Laos community of shared future with strategic importance.

Vientiane is the final leg of Xi's first overseas trip after the 19th CPC National Congress, which was held in October. Prior to the Laos visit, Xi attended the 25th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Economic Leaders' Meeting in Vietnam's central city of Da Nang and paid a state visit to the country in Hanoi.