Laos on Monday expressed its hope the upcoming China-ASEAN
summit will lead to the establishment of new measures to strengthen
the ASEAN -China strategic partnership.
The summit will be held on October 30 in Nanning, capital of
South China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, to commemorate the
15th anniversary of the establishment of China-ASEAN dialogue.
"It is an event of historical significance for both ASEAN and
China, and a valuable opportunity for both leaders to exchange
views on what has been done in bilateral cooperation over the past
15 years, and to discuss the trend of such cooperation for the
years ahead," Lao ambassador to China Vichit Xindavong told
Xinhua.
He said his country expects to see leaders of both sides come up
with new ideas and make decisions to further facilitate ASEAN
-China cooperation, bringing about more substantial benefit to both
peoples in the future.
The ambassador spoke highly of the progress of ASEAN -China
cooperation in the past 15 years, adding the two sides have
enhanced mutual understanding and trust through such exchanges and
cooperation.
He believes ASEAN and China should continue to expand
cooperation in politics, economy, social affairs, security and
international and regional affairs.
With regard to Laos-China ties, the 51-year-old ambassador said
the two countries have been enjoying "excellent" relations.
However, he acknowledged, the trade volume between Laos and
China remains relatively low compared with the ones between China
and other ASEAN countries.
He hoped more Chinese investors could explore opportunities in
his country, and business people from both sides could have more
contact through exchanging visits and attending seminars and
exhibitions to broaden the scope of bilateral trade.
The third China-ASEAN Expo, as well as the third China-ASEAN
Business and Investment Summit, will be held on the sidelines of
the commemorative summit.
Vichit Xindavong said Laos will use these events to further
expand economic and trade cooperation with China's provinces.
The ambassador also expressed his appreciation for China's
assistance in his country's struggle for national liberation in the
past as well as its economic construction in the present.
The trade and investment cooperation in the Greater Mekong
Subregion (GMS) is considered as a key cooperation area between
China and ASEAN . A large section of the Mekong River flows through
Laos and over 80 percent of the country's population are living
along the river and its tributaries.
Vichit Xindavong said Laos will continue to concentrate on
developing infrastructure under the framework of GMS cooperation,
including building bridges across the Mekong River and roads
linking Thailand, Laos and Vietnam, constructing hydropower
stations and power transmission lines.
Laos is ready to better integrate its economy into the region
and make positive contributions to GMS cooperation, the ambassador
said.
(Xinhua News Agency October 16, 2006)