China is to provide neighboring Laos with a package of
assistance covering agricultural machinery, finance and training
under an agreement signed by the two countries on Friday.
The agreement was announced in a joint communiqué on the
week-long state visit by general secretary of the Central Committee
of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party and Lao President Choummaly
Sayasone, a guest of Chinese President Hu Jintao.
"Both sides agreed to further cooperation in the fields of
economy and trade, electric power, minerals, agriculture and
tourism," says the communiqué.
"Both countries will support and encourage two-way investment of
their enterprises and expand trade in border areas."
The two sides exchanged notes on China's provision of
agricultural machinery to Laos and on the provision of training for
Lao government officials.
The two presidents agreed that high-level exchanges between the
two parties and countries served as a guideline for the development
of bilateral ties.
They expressed readiness to expand contacts between their
political parties, parliaments and local governments and
people-to-people exchanges to draw on each other's experiences in
running the party and the country and enhance mutual understanding
and friendship.
China reaffirmed that it respects the independence, sovereignty
and territorial integrity of Laos and supports the Lao government
in sticking to socialism and in developing its economy and
society.
The Lao president reiterated that his government would adhere to
the one-China policy, oppose any attempt to create "two Chinas" or
"one China, one Taiwan" and support China's peaceful
reunification.
They would continue to strengthen cooperation in international
forums such as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and its
regional forum, the Development of the Great Mekong Sub-region,
East Asia Summit and the United Nations, says the communiqué.
Choummaly also invited Hu to visit Laos and Hu accepted the
invitation.
(Xinhua News Agency June 30, 2006)
