China, Laos pledge to boost bilateral ties  

Chinese President Xi Jinping (R), also General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, holds talks with Secretary General of Lao People's Revolutionary Party Choummaly Saygnasone, in Beijing, China, July 28, 2014. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen)

Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks with his Lao counterpart Choummaly Saygnasone here on Monday and the two pledged to boost the relationship between the two ruling parties as well as the bilateral ties "no matter how the international situation changes."

During the talks at the Great Hall of the People, Xi lauded the China-Laos all-round strategic partnership featuring a high degree of mutual trust, mutual assistance and reciprocity.

"Currently, both China and Laos face the arduous tasks of reform, development and stability, and there have been many changes in the international and regional situations," said Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee.

Xi said the Chinese side stands ready to maintain high-level interactions with Laos, communicate with the Lao side on major issues effectively, and increase party-to-party exchanges to improve the ruling parties' ability of governance. Choummaly is also general secretary of the Central Committee of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP).

Xi said the two countries should link their development strategies and boost cooperation on agriculture, energy, hydroelectricity and infrastructure.

He also called for closer cooperation on law enforcement, management of border areas, terrorism and transnational crime as well as cultural, educational, youth-to-youth and sub-national exchanges.

China is willing to maintain close communication and coordination with the Lao side in international and regional affairs to advance the relationship between China and ASEAN in a healthy way and promote peace, stability and development, Xi said.

Choummaly said Laos and China share common interests and cherish their friendship.

He expressed his appreciation for China's support and assistance, saying that the Lao side will learn from China's experience of party governance and national development.

Briefing Xi on Laos' internal situation, Choummaly said he is happy to have seen the deepening partnership between the two countries and the increasing exchanges between the two parties.

The cooperation with China has strongly helped the development of Laos, said the Lao leader.

The LPRP will continue increasing exchanges with the CPC and looks forward to more Chinese assistance in Laos' push to develop its railways, agriculture and internet.

After the talks, the two presidents witnessed the signing of a series of cooperative deals between the two governments.