Engaging in consultations and coordination with China will enable Laos to draw more fully on China's useful experience in advancing its own national development, Thongloun Sisoulith, general secretary of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party Central Committee and president of Laos, said on Wednesday.
Thongloun arrived in Hangzhou on Tuesday for a five-day state visit to China at the invitation of President Xi Jinping.
In an exclusive interview with China Media Group (CMG), the visiting leader stressed the importance for Laos to draw more on China's development experience.
"In terms of implementing economic and social development plans, this year happens to be the first year of a new five-year plan period for both of our countries. Against this backdrop, the two sides will engage in consultations and coordination on relevant matters, so that Laos can draw more fully on China's useful experience in advancing its own national development and achieve the goals of its own five-year plan on schedule. Of course, these goals are highly challenging. But we must stay focused and work in a practical way, with emphasis on building an independent and self-reliant economy," he said.
Noting that China's support for Laos is consistent, Thongloun expressed hope that the two sides will continue to coordinate and support each other in the years ahead.
"China has always, without fail, supported and assisted us, whether in funding, technology, development experience, or the organization and implementation of economic and social development plans. In all these areas, China's accumulation of resources and experience is far richer than Laos'. The two sides will remain in close coordination, helping and supporting one another. This direction will not change in the future. The Chinese comrades care about Laos, hold it dear in their thoughts, and attach great importance to it. They have always given us steadfast support," he said.
Laos to draw on China’s experience to advance its development: Lao president
Representative on behalf of cities across China and the United States gathered at a sister cities summit in San Francisco on Friday to share insights on key topics spanning green urban development, culture, tourism, education and youth.
The 8th China-U.S. Sister Cities Summit was initiated by the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries in 2014, serving as a significant bilateral event following the meeting between the Chinese and U.S. heads of state in May while receiving positive responses from localities and friendly organizations in both countries.
More than 150 representatives from 15 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities and 12 cities in China, and 160 representatives from 21 states and 36 cities in the United States, gathered to engage in in-depth exchanges and mutual learning on three main themes of green development and urban governance, culture and tourism, and education and youth.
Five cooperation agreements were signed between relevant cities in China and the United States, showcasing the results of 31 cooperative projects covering areas such as sister city partnerships, cultural and tourism exchanges, and youth exchanges.
The participants said these links boost bilateral friendship and contribute to stable China-U.S. relations.
"China [is one of the] largest economies, all the fantastic discoveries and things being done in China. The U.S. and China have a lot to learn from each other and working together, we can conquer the world's problems," said Carol Robertson Lopez, chair emeritus of Sister Cities International.
"The attendees all expressed their willingness to further strengthen cooperation with sister cities. They believe that there is a great potential, a bright future, and strong vitality in local exchanges and cooperation, and they are willing to contribute to and solidify the foundation of the constructive strategic relationship between China and the United States through close cooperation," said Yang Wanming, president of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries.
At present, China and the United States have established 50 pairs of sister provinces and states and 238 pairs of sister cities.
8th China-US Sister Cities Summit held in San Francisco
