Xi Jinping Sends Message of Congratulation to Thongloun Sisoulith on His Election as Lao President

On March 23, 2021, General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory message to General Secretary of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party Central Committee Thongloun Sisoulith on his election as the country's president.

Xi Jinping pointed out in the message that China and Laos are friendly neighbors linked by mountains and rivers. Since the establishment of diplomatic ties 60 years ago, the relations between the two parties and between the two countries have braved the waves and grown stronger as time goes by. In recent years, the traditional friendship between China and Laos has achieved new development, strategic mutual trust has made new progress, practical cooperation has taken new steps, and bilateral relations have entered a new era of building a community with a shared future. Since last year, we have joined hands in the fight of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has vividly demonstrated the spirit of the China-Laos community with a shared future, and consolidated and deepened our brotherly friendship.

Xi Jinping stressed that the world today is facing profound changes unseen in a century, and China-Laos relations are in a crucial stage that inherits the past and sets a course for the future. I attach great importance to the development of China-Laos relations and is willing to work with General Secretary Thongloun to further consolidate and expand the two countries' comprehensive strategic cooperation, promote the well-being and friendship of our peoples, and lift the building of the China-Laos community with a shared future to new heights.

On the same day, Premier Li Keqiang sent a congratulatory message to Phankham Viphavanh on his election as Lao prime minister. Li Keqiang said he is ready to make joint efforts with Prime Minister Phankham to continuously enrich the comprehensive strategic cooperation, and make new progress in the cause of building the China-Laos community with a shared future.