Laotian President Khamtay Siphandone has sent a congratulatory message to Chinese President Hu Jintao for becoming the chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC) of the Communist Party of China (CPC) on Sunday.

"On behalf of the Central Defense and Security Committee of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP) and myself, I congratulate you and through you I express my best wishes to the CMC," said Siphandone, who also serves as leader of the LPRP and the Central Defense and Security Committee.

Siphandone expressed his confidence that under the leadership of the CPC, the CMC chaired by Hu will make new contribution to China's prosperity and development, and become a strong pillar to defend the country and to build socialism with Chinese characteristics.

The CMC will also play a more outstanding role in maintaining peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region and the world as a whole, Siphandone added.
 
Hu Jintao, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee and president of China, succeeded Jiang Zemin as chairman of the CPC Central Military Commission at the Fourth Plenum of the 16th CPC Central Committee, which concluded here Sunday.

(Xinhua News Agency September 24, 2004)