Chinese Defense Minister Chi Haotian arrived in Vientiane on Monday at the start of a four-day official goodwill visit to Laos.

Chi, also vice chairman of China's Central Military Commission and a state councilor, came to Vientiane at the invitation of his Lao counterpart Choummali Sayasone.

In a written statement issued at the airport, Chi said that over a long period of time, exchanges and cooperation between China and Laos in various fields have yielded satisfying results and friendly cooperation between the armed forces of the two countries have expanded significantly, thanks to joint efforts of both sides.

To consolidate and develop friendly relations between China and Laos and the armed forces of the two countries is in keeping with the fundamental interests of the two peoples and is conducive to peace, stability and development in the region.

Chi said his visit would give fresh impetus to the development of such relations in the new century.

Laos is the first leg of Chi's four-nation Asian tour, which also takes in Vietnam, Cambodia and Nepal.

(Xinhua 02/05/2001)