Loatian President Bounnhang Vorachit welcomed China's eagerness to strengthen relations. (Photo : Getty Images)
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang met with Lao President Bounnhang Vorachit to engage in talks about improving bilateral relations between the two countries.
Li said that the partnership between Laos and China will be in the form of economic investments, railway, and hydroelectric projects.
The Chinese leader said that they would want to focus on areas like tourism and education.
He said, "China, with a traditional friendship with Laos, would like to promote their high-level contacts, share their experiences in the governance of their respective countries and deepen pragmatic cooperation."
In turn, the Lao President welcomed the efforts of China to revitalize the strategic partnership between the two countries.
Bounnhang appreciated the support of Li toward Laos and the efforts of the country in hosting the recently concluded ASEAN Summit.
The president said that Laos and other Asian nations followed the principle of "good neighbors, good friends, good partners and good brothers."
U.S. President Obama also attended the ASEAN Summit and reiterated American support for Asian countries. China, in particular, had remarked on the U.S.'s interfering with sensitive issues such as the South China Sea dispute.
Obama said, "I recognize this raises tensions but I also look forward to discussing how we can constructively move forward together to lower tensions."
Li reacted and said that "China was willing to work with Southeast Asian countries in dispelling interference . . . and properly handling the South China Sea issue."
ASEAN Secretary-General Le Luong Minh said, "Both China and the United States are among the most important partners of ASEAN, and ASEAN does not want to have to choose between those partners."
