China, Laos vow to enhance cooperation, communication

Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) meets with Lao President Choummaly Sayasone at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 8, 2014. (Xinhua/Ding Lin)

China and Laos on Saturday pledged to strengthen cooperation and communication to further cement the bilateral ties between the two Asian neighbors.

Describing China and Laos as "good neighbors, good friends, good comrades and good partners," Chinese President Xi Jinping urged the two sides to enhance their strategic communication and maintain the good tradition of frequent high-level visits, while meeting with his Lao counterpart Choummaly Sayasone.

Xi also called on the two sides to enhance the inter-party communication, exchange the governance experience and support each other in reform and development.

He stressed that the two countries should push forward the important cooperation projects to achieve substantial progress at an early date.

Xi urged the two sides to expand pragmatic cooperation and earnestly implement the important consensus reached between them in July, when Choummaly visited Beijing.

The two countries should advance the development of the China-Laos comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership featuring a high level of mutual trust, mutual assistance and mutual benefit, Xi added.

Choummaly, who is in Beijing to attend a dialogue on strengthening connectivity partnership, said that Laos highly appreciates China's host of the dialogue which he believes will promote the cooperation and shared development of countries in the region.

He said that his country hopes to strengthen cooperation and exchanges with China, in a bid to promote the agriculture, infrastructure construction in Laos and speed up Laos' social and economic development.

Choummaly also said that Laos stands ready to actively participate in the preparation work of establishing the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank.