Laos benefits from energy cooperation with China: Lao PM

Laos has benefited from cooperation with China in the field of energy, accelerating the country's low-carbon energy transition and moving it closer towards its goal of becoming the "Battery of Southeast Asia", said Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone in a recent interview when he came to China for the Boao Foru for Asia Annual Conference 2025.

In April 2023, a groundbreaking ceremony for the 600 MW Monsoon Wind Power Project, the first of this kind in Laos, contracted by Power Construction Corporation of China (PowerChina), was held in Vientiane, the capital of Laos.

In February this year, the launch ceremony for the construction of the Lao section of the China-Laos 500 kV power interconnection project was held in Vientiane.

In early March, Laos' first photovoltaic and energy storage project was put into substantive operation.

Speaking with China Central Television (CCTV), Sonexay highlighted the significant role the electric power industry has played in the Lao economy.

"Electricity sector is undoubtedly one of the pillar industries in Laos. At present, Laos' installed power capacity has reached about between 11,000 and 12,000 megawatts, which can not only meet most of Laos' domestic electricity demand, but also export a large amount of the electricity to neighboring countries such as Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia, and even to Malaysia and Singapore through Thailand," he said.

In the interview, Sonexay stressed that China has invested heavily in Laos' energy sector, which is conducive to the development of the nation's electric power sector.

"Among Laos' 53 sources of investment, China ranks the first in terms of investment. China mainly invests in Laos' energy, minerals, services, real estate, shopping malls, and other areas. Among them, China's investment in the energy field has played an important role in Laos' electricity production. For example, the China-invested Nam Ou River cascade hydropower station satisfy 33 percent of the country's electricity consumption. The Lao government is also promoting the development and utilization of alternative energy sources such as wind and sun," the prime minister said.

Laos benefits from energy cooperation with China: Lao PM

More than 1,000 demonstrators took to the street in downtown Los Angeles on Saturday to protest against the fatal shooting of a 37-year-old woman by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent in Minnesota earlier this week, as well as U.S. military intervention in Venezuela.

"And the brutality of ICE to shoot a woman in the head three times is appalling. And why we're allowing that, why is this happening in the United States? It's unbelievable. They're not taking just undocumented immigrants. They're taking everybody and they're asking questions later," said a protester who was only identified as Jonelle.

"[U.S. military striking on] Venezuela was completely wrong, completely wrong. Constitutionally, he had no right to do that. And the fact that the oil companies knew what he was going to do before even Congress or the military knew, just tells you everything you need to know," noted another protester, who was only named as Erin.

Analysts pointed out the protests reflect strong dissatisfaction among the U.S. public with the government's handling of both domestic affairs and foreign policy at present.

Renee Nicole Good, 37, was shot dead on Wednesday by an agent of the ICE. The killing sparked outrage in the Democratic-led state and beyond, triggering protests and vigils aimed at ICE and federal immigration policy.

Protests erupt in Los Angeles against ICE, U.S. actions in Venezuela