Premier Li Keqiang arrived in Vientiane, the Lao capital, on Sept 6 for a series of leader’s meetings on East Asia cooperation and an official visit to Laos.

During the four-day visit, Premier Li will attend the 19th China-Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) (10+1) leaders’ meeting, the 19th ASEAN-China, Japan and the Republic of Korea (10+3) leaders’ meeting, and the 11th East Asia Summit.

Lao senior officials welcomed the Chinese visitors at the airport. Guan Huabing, Chinese ambassador to Laos and Xu Bu, Chinese ambassador to ASEAN, also came to the airport.

Premier Li said this year marks the 25th anniversary of the China-ASEAN dialogue, adding that China is willing to work with ASEAN countries to reflect on history and draw a new blueprint for bilateral cooperation, based on diplomatic frameworks such as “10+3” and the East Asia Summit.

The Premier said China and Laos are good neighbors with long-lasting friendship and noted this year is also the 55th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic relations. So China is willing to take it as an opportunity to push forward the Sino-Lao strategic partnership by deepening bilateral cooperation and enhancing people to people exchanges.

During the meeting, Premier Li and leaders from ASEAN countries will celebrate the 25th anniversary of Sino-ASEAN dialogue relationship.

Premier Li will hold a meeting with his Lao counterpart, Thongloun Sisoulith, and witness a series of agreements to be signed on bilateral cooperation. And he also will meet with Boungnang Vorachith, general secretary of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party and president of Laos, and Pany Yathotou, president of the Laotian National Assembly.