China-Laos ties face important opportunities in 2026: Chinese FM

The year 2026 marks the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Laos as well as the Year of China-Laos Friendship, presenting important opportunities for the development of bilateral relations, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Tuesday.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks when meeting with Lao Deputy Prime Minister Saleumxay Kommasith, who is visiting China as special envoy of Thongloun Sisoulith, general secretary of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP) Central Committee and president of Laos.

Wang welcomed Saleumxay to visit China, saying the visit fully reflects the high level of the China-Laos community with a shared future and will further enhance the strategic mutual trust between the two sides.

Wang called on both sides to strengthen inter-governmental institutional dialogues, enhance the quality and efficiency of China-Laos railway connectivity, jointly build an upgraded version of the China-Laos Economic Corridor, and deliver more tangible outcomes in advancing regional connectivity.

China will leverage its strengths to align development strategies with Laos, boost whole-industry-chain cooperation in minerals, electricity and other sectors, deepen human resources development, and support Laos in economic transformation and industrial growth, he said.

Saleumxay, also a member of the Political Bureau of the LPRP Central Committee, said Laos is willing to maintain close high-level exchanges with China, jointly hold successful celebration activities for the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations, and deepen cooperation in areas such as connectivity, energy and minerals.

Saleumxay expressed appreciation for China's stance and role in major international and regional affairs, saying Laos is ready to strengthen coordination and cooperation with China.

China-Laos ties face important opportunities in 2026: Chinese FM

China has issued a new set of guidelines aimed at expanding capacity and upgrading the quality of the service sector.

The guidelines, released by the State Council on Tuesday, state that the total scale of China's service sector is expected to reach 100 trillion yuan (about 14.58 trillion U.S. dollars) by 2030.

More "China Services" brands will be fostered by then, with the sector's global competitiveness and influence significantly enhanced, and people's sense of gain steadily improving, according to the guidelines.

Efforts should be made to strengthen the supporting role of science and technology services, enhance the competitiveness of modern logistics, and accelerate innovation-driven development in software and information services.

Priority should also be given to expanding the supply of high-quality services for residents, improving the elderly care and childcare services, enhancing the quality of health services, and fostering new models in culture, tourism and sports-related services, according to the guidelines.

China attaches great importance to the development of the service sector. The country held its first national conference on the service sector earlier this month, while its latest five-year plan also calls for improving the sector's quality, efficiency and competitiveness.

In 2025, China's service sector made up 57.7 percent of GDP and contributed 61.4 percent to the country's economic growth. It also provided around half of the country's total employment.

China issues guidelines to improve capacity, quality of service sector