BEIJING, Dec. 6 -- Thongloun Sisoulith, general secretary of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP) Central Committee and Lao president, met with visiting Vice Chairman of China's Central Military Commission General He Weidong in Vientiane on December 5.
Thongloun asked General He Weidong to convey his sincere greetings and best wishes to Chinese President Xi Jinping and then stated that the Laos-China friendship is unbreakable. He expressed gratitude to China's strong and persistent support and assistance to the Lao Party, government and military over the past years. Laos is a supporter, practitioner, and beneficiary of the Belt and Road Initiative, and programs such as China-Laos Railway have imparted important impetus to the economic and social development of Laos, he said. He hoped that, in the face of the complex and volatile international and regional situation, the two militaries would continuously strengthen communication and coordination, and deepen practical cooperation in various fields.
General He Weidong conveyed Chinese President Xi Jinping's warm greetings and best wishes to Thongloun. He stated that China and Laos, linked by mountains and rivers, are friendly neighboring socialist countries with a correlated future and shared destiny. Under the strategic guidance of the leaders of both parties and countries, the development of bilateral military relations has maintained a good momentum. China is willing to work together with Laos to deepen exchanges at all levels, improve the quality and effectiveness of the joint exercises, strengthen border defense exchange, elevate the mil-to-mil relations to a higher level, and preserve regional peace and stability together.
On the same day, General He Weidong also held talks with Lao Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense Chansamone Chanyalath. They exchanged views on the relations between the two countries and militaries, the international and regional situation, and other issues.