China will work with Laos to continuously promote the development
of Sino-Lao long-term, steady, good-neighborly relations of
cooperation with mutual trust, said Chinese President Hu Jintao
Thursday in Beijing.
Hu, also general secretary of the Central Committee of the
Communist Party of China (CPC), was speaking during talks with
Khamtay Siphandone, president of the Central Committee of the Lao
People's Revolutionary Party and Lao president.
They exchanged in-depth views on bilateral relations and other
issues of common concern and reached a wide-ranging consensus.
Hu
said both sides had earnestly implemented the consensus and the
joint declaration guiding the development of bilateral relations
reached in 2000 between the heads of state of the two countries.
Meanwhile, both sides had made concrete efforts to push forward the
overall development of relations with good results.
China appreciated the support of Laos on such issues as Taiwan,
added Hu.
Khamtay, who arrived here earlier Thursday afternoon on a three-day
state visit to China as Hu's guest, said the two parties and the
two countries shared a common goal and a friendly relationship of
mutual cooperation.
To
further bilateral relations, Khamtay suggested that they maintain
high-level exchanges, further contacts between the two parties and
non-governmental organizations, learn from each other, and continue
expanding cooperation in economics, culture, border security and
the fight against drug trafficking.
Hu
agreed to the suggestion, saying China would enhance contacts
between leaders of the two countries to exchange views promptly;
strengthen exchanges of theory and experience concerning party- and
country-building, and explore ways to deal with new issues that may
arise in developing socialism; enhance bilateral economic and trade
cooperation; and strengthen cooperation in regional and
international affairs.
Hu
spoke positively of the achievements Laos had made, and briefed
Khamtay on China's fight against SARS (severe acute respiratory
syndrome), economic development and party-building.
Khamtay also spoke highly of China's development and wished China
would make greater achievements.
On
international and regional situations, Hu said the current
international situation was undergoing complicated changes, and
uncertain factors were arising for world peace and stability.
However, peace and development remained the theme of the times, and
it was the common aspiration of people all over the world to
safeguard world peace and stability, promote economic growth and
establish a just and rational new international political and
economic order.
The new Chinese leadership would adhere to an independent foreign
policy of peace, treat neighbors in a friendly way and as partners,
and strengthen friendly exchanges and cooperation with other
countries so as to contribute to peace and progress, Hu said.
Khamtay said safeguarding peace, promoting cooperation and
development, and striving for a multi-polar world were the main
trends of the times, and Laos would continue its peaceful,
cooperative and friendly foreign policy, and make its own efforts
to maintain regional and world peace and promote common
development.
After the talks, Hu and Khamtay attended a document signing
ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in central Beijing.
Before the talks, Hu presided over a welcoming ceremony for Khamtay
outside the hall.
(Xinhua News Agency June 13, 2003)