In a bid to promote trade, investment and socio-economic development between Laos and China, a delegation from the Lao Front for National Development (LFND) recently made a working visit to Yunnan province in China.
The group was led by the Vice President of the LFND (Non-Permanent), Dr Od Phongsavanh, who is also Head of the Front’s Advisory Committee on Economic Affairs, Unity and Development Fund.
The visit began on March 25, when the delegation met with high-ranking officials in Yunnan province and were welcomed by the Deputy Chairman of the Yunnan Provincial Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Council, Mr He Lianghui.
Mr He said the visit by LFND officials was a positive contribution to the enhancement of the longstanding cooperative relationship between Laos and China, based on the principles of four shared virtues and the countries’ partnership on the road towards a shared destiny.
The visit also enhanced the cooperative relationship between Yunnan province and the Lao Front for National Development, which is expected to encourage more Chinese businesses to invest in Laos in the coming years, he added.
On Tuesday and Wednesday this week, the Lao Front delegation met with leaders of Pu’er City in Yunnan province. The two sides briefed each other on current developments in their respective countries and noted with satisfaction the many ongoing cooperation projects between them, as well as suggesting new areas of cooperation.
Dr Od Phongsavanh requested the Chinese side to strengthen cooperation in socio-economic development in order to alleviate the poverty of people living in the Laos-Yunnan border area, especially through assistance in the fields of tourism, agriculture, and industrial processing.
The delegation also learnt about the development of Pu’er City and the city’s popular tea gardens.
Major development projects in Laos largely financed by China include the Laos-China Railway, the Vientiane-Vangvieng Expressway, the Vientiane Saysettha Development Zone, the upgrade of Mahosot Hospital, provision of street lighting in Vientiane, and other important initiatives.
Source:Vientiane Times
