ASEAN-China Cooperation Prospects on Trade, Investment and Tourism Hailed in Vientiane

On 27 November 2023, the ASEAN-China Centre (ACC), in collaboration with the Lao Ministry of Industry and Commerce and the Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LNCCI), sponsored the ASEAN (Laos) - China Forum on Trade, Investment and Tourism in Vientiane. Union Minister Thet Thet Khine of Hotels and Tourism of Myanmar, Charge d’Affaires Thongsavanh Phyathep of the Lao Embassy in Beijing, the LNCCI Executive Vice President Thanongsinh Kanlagna attended the Forum, among nearly 300 government officials, representatives of business associations and entrepreneurs from ASEAN Member States (AMS) and China. The ACC Secretary General Shi Zhongjun attended and addressed the opening ceremony.

Secretary General Shi stated that, 10 years on since the launch of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), the alignment of development strategies and coordination of policies between AMS and China have been continuously strengthened. Laos stands out as a staunch supporter for BRI. The trade between Laos and China has been on an increase at a speed faster than other regional countries with China. Recently, both countries kicked off cross-border tourism along the China-Laos Railway, which indeed enhanced tourism cooperation with great margins. Both sides should further expand international transport services in various modes through the China-Laos Railway, fully explore the tourism market, and continue to optimize the business environment and build platforms for in-depth exchanges among enterprises on both sides.

Deputy Minister Phosy Keomanyvong of the Lao Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism shared his outlook on deepening tourism cooperation between Laos and China. He stressed that the Lao government regards tourism as a pivotal driving force for economic growth. 2024 has been designated as Visit Laos Year as well as the ASEAN-China Year of People-to-People Exchanges. He looked forward to the China-Laos Railway empowering tourism cooperation between both sides, thus securing greater amity between the two peoples. 

Economic and Commercial Counsellor Zhao Wenyu of the Chinese Embassy in Vientiane also briefed the Forum on the Chinese enterprises’ investment and business activities in Laos. The officials from the agencies in charge of economic and trade affairs from Laos and Myanmar respectively expounded on the investment opportunities in their countries. Representatives of business associations and entrepreneurs from AMS and China shared their best practices and conduced heated business matching to explore opportunities for future cooperation.