Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao arrived in Vientiane, capital of
Laos, on Sunday morning for an official visit from Nov. 28 to Nov.
30.
In a written statement upon his arrival at the airport, Wen said
he is expected to have an in-depth exchange of views with the
Laotian leaders on the enhancement of traditional friendship,
good-neighborly relations of mutual trust, as well as the all-round
cooperation between China and Laos.
Wen is visiting Laos for the first time as premier, and this
visit is also the first of its kind for the key members of China's
new leadership.
"I also hope to have a chance to contact the Laotian people and
learn the unique culture of the country," Wen said.
He noted China and Laos are close neighbors and the traditional
friendship is time-tested. The comprehensive and cooperative
relationship has been furthered with increased political trust and
sincere economic cooperation, he added.
"Continuing Sino-Laos relations is in conformity with the
fundamental interest of the two peoples, and is conducive to
regional peace and development," Wen said.
During his stay in Vientiane, Wen will also attend the eighth
summit between ASEAN and China, and between ASEAN and China, Japan
and the Republic of Korea (ROK), as well as the sixth
China-Japan-ROK summit.
ASEAN, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, is made up of
Brunei, Myanmar, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, the
Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. China established
strategic partnership with ASEAN in 2003.
(Xinhua News Agency November 28, 2004)