ACC Secretary-General Met with Vice Foreign Minister of Laos

On 19 October 2015, H.E. Mme. Yang Xiuping, Secretary-General of ASEAN-China Centre (ACC) met with H.E. Mr. Sengphet Houngboungnuang, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of Laos in Vientiane, Laos.

Secretary-General Yang said that China and Laos enjoyed a long history of friendship and shared similar development paths and a broad range of common interests. Laos was China's good friend and partner. The long-term growth of China-Laos Comprehensive Strategic Cooperation Partnership and increasing high-level exchanges as well as fruitful results of concrete cooperation in all fields had brought tangible benefits to peoples of the two countries.

Secretary-General Yang further expressed that ASEAN was the priority of China's diplomacy with neighboring countries. 2016 would mark the 25th anniversary of ASEAN-China dialogue relations. China initiated to designate 2016 as the Year of ASEAN-China Educational Exchange, which was warmly welcomed by ASEAN Member States. China and ASEAN would strengthen communication and negotiations, deepening the convergence of interests and elevating ASEAN-China relations up to a new stage and commonly preserving regional security and stability.

Secretary-General Yang introduced the work of ACC and claimed that ACC had served for China and 10 ASEAN Member States with nearly 2 billion of population. ACC was ready to earnestly implement consensuses reached by leaders of both sides, encouraging cooperation in trade, investment, education, culture and tourism, supporting the development of ASEAN Community and contributing to the deepening development of ASEAN-China Strategic Partnership.

Vice Foreign Minister Sengphet expressed that Laos and China should cherish their close ties. Laos sincerely appreciated the long-term support and assistance by China. “Belt and Road” initiative matched with the Lao development agenda and was believed to promote the development of Laos and neighboring countries. Laos hoped to develop its infrastructure such as railways and expressways, and take the opportunity of the Year of ASEAN-China Education Exchange to promote exchanges among the young people. Laos appreciated the fruitful results delivered by ACC, and was willing to work closely with ACC to promote the constant new development of Laos-China and ASEAN-China relations as well as the pragmatic cooperation.