Joint Statement on Further Deepening the Building of a China-Laos Community with a Shared Future

I. At the invitation of Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and President of the People's Republic of China, Thongloun Sisoulith, General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party and President of the Lao People's Democratic Republic, paid a state visit to the People's Republic of China from November 29th to December 1st, 2022.

During the visit, Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and President of the People's Republic of China, held talks with Thongloun, General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party and President of the Lao People's Democratic Republic. Li Keqiang, Premier of the State Council, Li Zhanshu, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, Wang Yang, Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference met with General Secretary Thongloun respectively. In a cordial, friendly and candid atmosphere, both sides briefed each other on the situation of their respective parties and countries, exchanged in-depth views on developing relations between both parties and countries as well as international and regional issues of common interest and reached a series of important consensus.

II. Both sides briefed each other on the major outcomes of the 20th CPC National Congress and the 11th National Congress of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, and were pleased with the achievements of the two parties, two countries and two peoples in their respective socialist causes.

Laos warmly congratulates the success of the 20th CPC National Congress and once again congratulates General Secretary Xi Jinping on his re-election as General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, considering that this reflects the high trust and immense respect of the entire Chinese Party and people of all ethnic groups for General Secretary Xi Jinping as the core of the Party Central Committee and the core of the whole Party, and as the wise leader of the socialist cause with Chinese characteristics in the new era; Laos highly appreciates the theoretical value and practical significance of Xi Jinping's thought on socialism with Chinese characteristics in the new era, considering that this thought is the latest theoretical achievement of the modernization of Marxism in China and at the same time has far-reaching world significance; Laos speaks highly of the great achievements China has made in economic and social development in the past decade and states that China's successful promotion and expansion of Chinese-style modernization has provided valuable experiences and set a successful example for other developing countries and offered a new choice for mankind to achieve modernization.

Laos sincerely wishes and believes that under the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at the core, the CPC and the Chinese people will surely be able to successfully complete the strategic tasks proposed at the 20th CPC National Congress, advance the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation with Chinese-style modernization, make more brilliant achievements on the new journey of building a modern socialist country, and write a more splendid chapter during the course of building a socialism with Chinese characteristics in the new era.

China highly appreciates that since the 11th Congress of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP), the LPRP headed by General Secretary Thongloun has made great efforts to strengthen its own construction, firmly safeguard the centralized and unified leadership of the Party, and achieved remarkable results and progresses; adhered to the socialist path that conforms to its own characteristics, upheld the concept of people-oriented governance, continuously consolidated political and social stability, and promoted sustainable economic and social development; adhered to the diplomatic line of peace, independence, friendship and cooperation, actively participated in regional and international affairs, actively shouldered relevant responsibilities and made contributions to safeguarding regional peace, stability and development and the common interests of developing countries.

China sincerely wishes and believes that under the strong leadership of the Central Committee of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party headed by General Secretary Thongloun, the Lao people will surely be able to achieve the goals and tasks proposed at the 11th Congress of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party and push forward the development and construction of the country in the new era along the socialist path and achieve new and greater achievements.

III. Both sides believe that China and Laos are friendly socialist neighbors connected by mountains and rivers. Adherence to the leadership of the Party and the direction of socialism is an essential feature of China-Laos relations. No matter in the period of revolutionary struggle or national construction, the two parties and two countries have always respected, treated each other with sincerity and supported each other. They have forged a profound friendship and established a strong bond. After entering the new era, with the joint efforts of both sides, China-Laos relations have achieved a series of fruitful results and are at their best in history. The formation of this sound situation is attributable to the high level of mutual trust and political guidance of the two parties and two countries, the traditional friendship and mutually beneficial cooperation of the two parties, two countries and two peoples, as well as the mutual understanding and firm support of China and Laos on issues of each other's core interests.

Both sides pointed out that the world today is undergoing profound changes unseen in a century, and the human society has once again come to a crossroad of history. In the face of changes in the world, times and history, both sides will continue to uphold the leadership of the Party, adhere to Marxism, follow the path of socialism suited to their respective national conditions, strive to explore the laws concerning the governance by the Communist Party, building socialism and developing human society, push forward the great development of respective Party and national construction, realize, safeguard and develop the fundamental interests of the two countries and peoples and make new and greater contributions to the noble cause of peace and development of mankind.

IV. Both sides agreed that since the signing of the Action Plan of the Communist Party of China and the Lao People's Revolutionary Party on Building a China-Laos Community with a Shared Future in April 2019, both sides have worked hand in hand with mutual assistance to open up a new level of relations between the two parties and countries, in particular to build the China-Laos Railway into a road of happiness, development and friendship for the Chinese and Lao peoples, and promote the construction of a China-Laos community with a shared future to be implemented and bear fruit, which will not only bring huge benefits to the two countries and peoples, but also inject strong impetus into regional peace, stability, development and prosperity. The practices of building of a China-Laos community with a shared future have proved that mankind shares joys and sorrows and the interests of all countries are closely associated. Building a community with a shared future is the future for all people in the world. It is believed that as long as people of all countries work together and adhere to dialogues and consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits, win-win cooperation, exchanges and mutual learning, and green and low-carbon development, we can surely open up an even brighter future for mankind.

Laos believes that China's global development initiative and global security initiative, and call for promoting the common values of peace, development, fairness, justice, democracy and freedom for all mankind, are in line with the trend of history and the times, which are also in line with the fundamental interests of people around the world, conducive to deepening and expanding the building of a community with a shared future for mankind, and conducive to solving the global challenges facing the world today, thus having been recognized and supported by many countries in the international community. Laos fully agrees with them and is willing to take an active part and put them into practice.

Both sides stressed that they will continuously uphold the principle of "long-term stability, good neighborly and friendly relations, mutual trust and comprehensive cooperation" and the spirit of "good neighbors, good friends, good comrades and good partners", uphold political respect and mutual trust, economic mutual benefit, mutual security assistance, cultural mutual understanding and amity, and ecological symbiosis and common governance, and jointly build a China-Laos Community with a shared future with high standard, high quality and high level, making positive efforts and setting an example for building a community with a shared future for mankind.

V. Both sides agreed to actively negotiate and sign new action plans based on the implementation of the 2019 Action Plan for building a China-Laos Community with a shared future, with a focus on deepening cooperation in the areas as follows:

-- Political security field

(I). Maintain the tradition of close exchanges between high-level officials of the two parties and countries. Continuously enhance high-level exchanges, especially between top leaders of the two parties and countries, through bilateral visits, video calls, letter exchanges and meetings on multilateral occasions, have timely in-depth exchanges of views on major issues concerning China-Laos relations and the international and regional situations, strengthen strategic communication, deepen political mutual trust and keep a firm grasp on the development direction of China-Laos relations.

(II). Deepen exchanges and cooperation between the two parties. Continue to implement the Cooperation Plan between the Communist Party of China and the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (2021-2025) and the Cooperation Plan on Training Cadres of the Communist Party of China and the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (2021-2025), hold theoretical seminars between the two parties, and strengthen exchanges and cooperation between counterpart central departments of the two parties and party organizations of local governments, especially border provinces (regions) of the two countries.

(III). Strengthen exchanges and cooperation in discipline inspection and supervision. Continuously carry out clean operation of the China-Laos railway, deepen law enforcement cooperation on anti-corruption, fugitive chasing and asset recovery, and strengthen communication and coordination in the UN Convention against Corruption, China-ASEAN and other multilateral mechanisms.

(IV). Deepen friendly exchanges and cooperation between the National People's Congress of China and the Lao National Assembly, as well as between the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and the Central Committee of the Lao National Front.

(V). Continue to implement the agreements between the foreign ministries of both countries on strengthening cooperation under the new circumstances, step up communication and coordination at all levels, strengthen bilateral and multilateral coordination and safeguard common interests.

(VI). Strengthen defense and security cooperation. Maintain high-level communication and exchanges at all levels, continue friendly border defense exchanges, actively carry out cooperation in political work, joint exercises and training, medical and health services, personnel training and other fields, strengthen coordination and cooperation in multilateral security affairs, and jointly safeguard regional peace and stability.

(VII). Deepen law enforcement and security cooperation. Step up exchanges between law enforcement agencies of the two countries, support the building of the China-Laos Police Cooperation Center, strengthen cooperation in counter-terrorism, combating "peaceful evolution" and "color revolution", drug control, combating telecom fraud, cross-border gambling, human trafficking, immigration and border entry and exit control, and jointly safeguard the safety of China-Laos railway and other cooperation projects and personnel of enterprises.

(VIII). Strengthen land border management and cooperation. Continuously maintain close communication and coordination through the China-Laos Border Joint Committee and other mechanisms to keep the border clear and stable, maintain border harmony and tranquility, and make the China-Laos border a model of lasting peace, everlasting friendship and common prosperity.

-- Practical cooperation field

(IX). Continue to implement the consensus reached by leaders of the two sides, China supports Laos in its economic and social development and improvement of people's livelihood, and will promote the global development initiative to bear fruits firstly in Laos.

(X). Advance the orderly synergy between the Belt and Road Initiative and Laos' strategy of transforming a land-locked country into a land-linked country, and promote the effective implementation of the Outline of the Belt and Road Cooperation Plan between the two countries.

(XI). Continue to advance the construction of the China-Laos Economic Corridor and the idea of the interconnected development of China, Laos and Thailand. Implement the operation and maintenance of the China-Laos railway, build a high-standard, sustainable economic belt along the route that can benefit the people, and give full play to the comprehensive benefits of the railway. Promote achieving positive progresses in the China-Laos highway and other transport infrastructure projects and enhance the interconnection level of corridors.

(XII). Give full play to the role of the China-Laos Economic, Trade and Technical Cooperation Committee, production capacity and investment cooperation and other mechanisms, strengthen policy communication and experience sharing, make overall plans for bilateral economic and trade cooperation, and promote the sound and sustainable development of China-Laos economic and trade relations.

(XIII). Give play to the role of the China-Laos E-commerce cooperation mechanism, carry out policy communication, advance capacity building cooperation, upgrade cooperation in logistics, mobile payment and other fields, and expand the sales of high-quality Lao specialty products in China through E-commerce.

(XIV). Support enterprises in steadily advancing China-Laos power grid interconnection projects in accordance with relevant commercial principles. Commend the efforts made by both countries’ respective enterprises and institutions in establishing the National Transmission Grid Corporation of Laos (EDL-T), and stand ready to push for the substantive operation of the above company as soon as possible.

(XV). Further deepen cooperation in water resources, strengthen the protection and utilization of water resources under the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation mechanism, and jointly raise the level of intensive and safe use of water resources.

(XVI). Strengthen cooperation in customs inspection and quarantine, advance consultations on quarantine of animals and plants (SPS), increase exports of quality agricultural and food products from Laos to China, and promote the safe development and facilitation of bilateral trade.

(XVII). Make good use of the mechanism of China-Laos Agricultural Cooperation Working Group, deepen agricultural, economic and investment cooperation, strengthen scientific and technological exchanges and capacity building cooperation in fields including rice, tropical fruits, vegetable planting and processing, animal breeding technologies, disease prevention and control, rural E-commerce, and promote the agricultural and rural modernization.

(XVIII). Strengthen experience exchanges and cooperation in poverty reduction and rural revitalization, rely on China-ASEAN and ASEAN Plus Three Cooperation platforms to enhance experience exchanges, actively promote the initiation of the second phase of the East Asia Poverty Reduction Demonstration Cooperation Project, and support the capacity building of Lao personnel in poverty reduction.

(XIX). Strengthen cooperation under the framework of the AIIB, support its sustainable and stable operation, and provide more high-quality, low-cost and sustainable infrastructure financing to developing countries.

-- Humanistic ecology field

(XX). Put into practice the implementation plan for China-Laos cooperation in culture and tourism, promote personnel exchanges at all levels in an orderly manner, promote the recovery and healthy development of tourism, jointly conduct personnel training, strengthen capacity building of human resources, promote cooperation in the cultural and tourism industries, make good use of the role of the China-Laos Cultural Center as a window, platform and bridge, and promote mutual understanding and friendship between China and Laos.

(XXI). Carry out public health exchanges and information cooperation, strengthen exchanges and cooperation in the prevention and control of infectious diseases with a focus on tropical diseases, and jointly enhance the prevention and control capacity for tropical diseases in the Lancang-Mekong region.

(XXII). Deepen bilateral exchanges and cooperation in the fields of press, publishing, film and television. Encourage media from both sides to strengthen cooperation in news exchanges, joint interviews, joint film production, personnel exchanges and training, and promote practical cooperation between Chinese and Laos publishing and film institutions to create a favorable public opinion atmosphere for the development of bilateral relations.

(XXIII) Expand exchanges and cooperation in higher education, vocational education and digital education. China will continue to provide scholarship support for outstanding Lao students studying in China, and jointly implement relevant project measures listed in the outcome document of the Third China-ASEAN Education Ministers Roundtable Conference entitled "Jointly Building an Amicable Homeland: China-ASEAN Education Cooperation Development Vision and Actions (2022-2030)".

(XXIV). Continue to strengthen exchanges and cooperation in the field of youth work, implement the China-Laos Railway Youth friendship project well, and jointly cultivate successors of China-Laos friendship.

(XXV). Encourage and support non-governmental organizations of the two countries to carry out friendly exchanges and practical cooperation, promote the establishment of more sister-city relations between the two countries, enhance friendship and heart-to-heart relations between the people of China and Laos, and continuously consolidate the foundation of public opinions in both countries.

(XXVI). Jointly protect and manage the tombs of China-Laos martyrs, commemorate the martyrs and carry forward the friendship of the two countries.

(XXVII). Further carry out ecological and environmental cooperation, strengthen exchanges of ecological and environmental protection concepts, regulations and standards, and continue to carry out policy dialogues, capacity building and technical cooperation activities under relevant multilateral cooperation mechanisms including China-ASEAN, ASEAN Plus Three Cooperation, Green Lancang-Mekong Region and the International Alliance for Green Development along the Belt and Road. Further support the construction of the low-carbon demonstration zone for South-South cooperation on climate changes between China and Laos, and advance the demonstration zone to achieve greener and low-carbon development goals, so as to give play to the leading and exemplary role of the demonstration zone in addressing climate changes and promoting green development.

VI. China reaffirms that it will firmly support Laos in safeguarding its national sovereignty, security and development interests. Laos reiterates its firm adherence to the One-China principle, opposes any words or deeds that undermine China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, opposes separatist activities for "Taiwan independence" in any form, opposes external forces' interference in China's internal affairs under any pretext, and supports China's efforts to safeguard its core interests and achieve national reunification.

VII. Both sides stressed the need to uphold genuine multilateralism, promote democracy in international relations and make global governance develop towards a more just and equitable direction. Both sides agreed to firmly uphold the basic norms governing international relations, uphold international fairness and justice, and oppose all forms of hegemonism and power politics, opposes starting a new Cold War, opposes interferences in other countries' internal affairs, opposes double standards, and opposes the establishment of factional and exclusive groups targeting specific countries.

Both sides spoke highly of their fruitful cooperation in international and regional affairs and agreed to further deepen the traditional friendship, solidarity and mutual trust among Lancang-Mekong countries and promote the building of a Lancang-Mekong community with a shared future. Both sides will further deepen the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and ASEAN, work together to build "Five Homes" of peace, tranquility, prosperity, beauty and friendship, focus on common development and expand practical cooperation, build an even closer China-ASEAN community with a shared future, and make greater contributions to regional and global peace, stability, development and prosperity.

Both sides agreed that with the joint efforts of China and ASEAN countries, the situation in the South China Sea has remained generally stable. Since its signing 20 years ago, the Declaration on the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea has played a key role in maintaining peace and stability in the South China Sea. Both sides call on relevant parties to continue to fully and effectively implement the Declaration, deepen practical maritime cooperation, reach a “Code of Conduct in the South China Sea” as soon as possible on the basis of consensus, and make the South China Sea a sea of peace, friendship and cooperation.

VIII. During the visit, both sides signed a series of cooperation documents including the Cooperation Agreement between the International Department of the Central Committee of the CPC and the International Department of the Central Committee of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation between the Central Committee of the Communist Youth League of China and the Central Committee of the Lao People's Revolutionary Youth League (2023-2025), Memorandum of Understanding between the National Development and Reform Commission of the People's Republic of China and the Ministry of Planning and Investment of the Lao People's Democratic Republic on Jointly Developing Cooperation along the China-Laos Railway, Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in Education between the Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China and the Ministry of Education and Sports of the Lao People's Democratic Republic (2022-2024), Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in Information and Communication Technology between the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology of the People's Republic of China and the Ministry of Science, Technology and Communication of the Lao People's Democratic Republic, Certificate of Handover between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the Lao People's Democratic Republic concerning the Anti-epidemic Assistance Project in the China-Laos Border Area, Certificate of Handover between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the Lao People's Democratic Republic concerning the Construction Project of Rural Poverty Alleviation Facilities in Laos, Memorandum of Understanding on E-commerce Cooperation between the Ministry of Commerce of the People's Republic of China and the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Lao People's Democratic Republic, Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Commerce of the People's Republic of China and the Ministry of Planning and Investment of the Lao People's Democratic Republic on the Establishment of a Working Group on Investment and Economic Cooperation, Memorandum of Understanding between the People's Bank of China and the Bank of the Lao People's Democratic Republic on Comprehensively Strengthening Financial and Regulatory Cooperation, Settlement Agreement between the People's Bank of China and the Vientiane Branch of the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China concerning RMB Business, Protocol between the General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China and the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of the Lao People's Democratic Republic on Quarantine and Hygiene Requirements for Beef Cattle Imported from Laos for Slaughter in China, Protocol between the General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China and the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of the Lao People's Democratic Republic on Plant Quarantine Requirements of Tobacco Leaves Exported from Laos to China, Memorandum of Understanding between the China International Development Cooperation Agency of the People's Republic of China and the Ministry of Planning and Investment of the Lao People's Democratic Republic on Strengthening Development Cooperation and Promoting the Implementation of the Global Development Initiative, Exchange Paper on the Feasibility Study on East Asia Poverty Reduction Demonstration Cooperation Phase II (Laos) Project, Exchange Paper on the Feasibility Study on Phase IV Technical Assistance Project of the National Conference Center for Assistance to Laos, Exchange Paper on the Approval of  Forensic DNA Laboratory Project in Laos, Cooperation Agreement between China Media Group and the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism of Laos, Framework Agreement between China Southern Power Grid Co., Ltd and Lao EDL for 500KV Power Trade between China and Laos, Agreement between Lao National Transmission Grid Corporation and Lao EDL on the Payment of Transmission Revenue, Agreement between Lao National Transmission Grid Corporation and Lao EDL on the Acquisition of the Right to Operate the 230 kV and above Transmission Assets in Laos, 2023-2025 Exchange and Cooperation Plan between the CPC Committee of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and the International Department of the Central Committee of Lao People's Revolutionary Party, Memorandum of Friendship and Cooperation between the Standing Committee of the People's Congress of Yunnan Province of China and the People's Congresses of Phongsari, Nanta, Oudomxay and Luang Prabang Provinces of Laos, and Memorandum on Promoting People-to-people Exchanges and Cooperation between China and Laos, among others.

IX. Both sides are satisfied with the outcomes of the visit to China by Thongloun Sisoulith, General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Lao People's Reform Party and State President, and agreed that this visit is of great significance to promoting China-Laos comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership and deepening the building of a China-Laos community with a shared future.

Thongloun Sisoulith, General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Lao People's Reform Party and State President, expressed his gratitude to Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee and State President, as well as the Communist Party of China, the government and the people of China for the warm and friendly reception and sent an invitation to General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee and State President Xi Jinping to visit Laos. General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee and State President Xi Jinping expressed his gratitude and happily accepted the invitation.

Beijing, December 1st, 2022