On the morning of June 5, 2026, Premier of the State Council Li Qiang met at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing with General Secretary of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party Central Committee and President Thongloun Sisoulith, who is paying a state visit to China.

Li Qiang stated that this year marks the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Laos. Over the past 65 years, the two countries have always relied on and supported each other, and bilateral relations have grown ever stronger with the passage of time. In particular, under the strategic guidance of the top leaders of the two parties and two countries in recent years, China-Laos relations have entered the best period in their history. This afternoon, General Secretary and President Xi Jinping will hold talks with General Secretary and President Thongloun Sisoulith and make further plans for deepening bilateral relations. In the face of a world marked by intertwined changes and turbulence, China stands ready to strengthen strategic communication and close coordination with Laos, advance the building of a China-Laos community with a shared future to a higher level, continuously enhance the well-being of the two peoples, and jointly promote stability and prosperity in the region and beyond.

Li Qiang noted that China is ready to strengthen the alignment of development strategies with Laos, fully unleash the positive effects of China’s zero-tariff policy, continue expanding the scale of bilateral trade, deepen cooperation on the China-Laos Railway, accelerate the development of the China-Laos Economic Corridor, and expand cooperation in such fields as energy and mineral resources, artificial intelligence, and the digital economy, so as to achieve more practical outcomes. China is willing to import more quality products from Laos, encourage Chinese enterprises to invest in Laos, and hopes that the Lao side will provide a better business environment for enterprises. This year is the Year of China-Laos Friendship. China is ready to work with Laos to successfully hold a series of celebratory events, make good use of revolutionary resources, deepen cooperation in culture, tourism, education, healthcare and other fields, and carry forward the traditional friendship between the two countries. At present, the international economic and trade order is facing serious challenges. China and Laos should strengthen close coordination and cooperation, encourage all parties to jointly uphold the rules-based multilateral trading system, and safeguard free trade and economic globalization.

Thongloun Sisoulith stated that he was pleased to pay a state visit to China. This year marks the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Laos and China as well as the Year of Laos-China Friendship, which is of great significance to the development of Laos-China relations. He expressed appreciation for China’s valuable support and assistance to Laos over the years and stated that Laos will firmly adhere to the one-China principle and firmly support China’s core interests on issues related to Taiwan, Xinjiang, and Hong Kong. Thongloun Sisoulith said that Laos stands ready to work with China to further leverage the role of the Laos-China Railway as a golden corridor, strengthen cooperation in such fields as trade, the digital economy, mineral resources, and energy, promote exchanges and cooperation in culture and tourism, enhance close coordination under mechanisms including the Mekong-Lancang Cooperation Framework, and achieve more outcomes in building the Laos-China community with a shared future.

Wu Zhenglong attended the meeting.