Premier Li Keqiang met with Bounnhang Vorachit, Lao president and general secretary of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party, on April 25.

China and Laos are age-old good neighbors, the Premier said, and the Chinese Communist Party and the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party enjoy long-standing respect and support for each other.

Both sides have strengthened their cooperation over the past few years, with constant achievements made, Premier Li said.

He said China is willing to carry out consensus reached by both parties and leaders, to consolidate the ties, beef up high-level exchanges, and step up political mutual trust.

Meanwhile, more work should be done to strengthen cultural exchanges, and propel the construction of the China-Laos community of a shared future, in a bid to further benefit the Chinese and Lao people, the Premier said.

China is also willing to align the Belt and Road Initiative with Lao development strategy and carry forward the construction of the China-Lao economic corridor, China-Lao railroad, among others.

He said China encourages Chinese enterprises to take an active part in the Lao economic development and increase the agricultural imports from Laos.

China, the Premier added, will work hand in glove with Laos to build the Lancang-Mekong cooperation into a significant platform for subregion cooperation.

Bounnhang highly valued China’s historic achievements made in reform and opening-up.

The favorable development of the China-Lao ties and the regular high-level contact between both sides fully demonstrate the broad prospects of the China-Lao relations, which also help the two nations navigate their cooperation.

Laos plays an active role in the construction of the Belt and Road Initiative, he said, and Laos is contended with the steady progress made in many important bilateral projects, highlighting the China-Lao railroad.

Laos appreciates China’s support for the development of Lao economy and society, he added.