On the afternoon of June 5, 2026, General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and President Xi Jinping held talks with General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP) and Lao President Thongloun Sisoulith, who is on a state visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

Xi Jinping once again congratulated Thongloun Sisoulith on his re-election as General Secretary of the LPRP Central Committee and President of Laos. Xi Jinping noted that China has always regarded Laos as a priority in its neighborhood diplomacy, firmly supports Laos in pursuing a socialist path suited to its own national conditions, and stands ready to work with the Lao side to carry forward traditional friendship, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, and enhance solidarity and coordination. China is willing to work with Laos to achieve a new leap in bilateral ties and build an all-weather China-Laos community with a shared future in the new era.

Xi Jinping put forward four points to advancing China-Laos relations and building a higher-standard, higher-quality and higher-level bilateral community with a shared future.

First, keep to the socialist path. The two sides should jointly safeguard the socialist system and the leadership of communist parties, maintain close strategic communication, implement the new five-year cooperation plan between the two parties and deepen exchanges on governance experience. The two countries should take the establishment of a “3+3” strategic dialogue mechanism involving diplomacy, defense and public security as an opportunity to strengthen law enforcement and security cooperation and crack down on cross-border crimes.

Second, consolidate the foundation of mutually beneficial cooperation. China is willing to strengthen strategic alignment with Laos and foster new growth drivers for cooperation. The two countries should capitalize on the advantages of the China-Laos Railway as a golden transport corridor, advance development along the route and push for the “juxtaposed border control” so as to upgrade cooperation under the China-Laos Economic Corridor. It is important to accelerate the connectivity of the China-Laos-Thailand Railway to achieve broader regional interconnectivity at an early date. The two sides should deepen cooperation in traditional sectors such as agriculture and electricity while expanding collaboration in emerging areas including artificial intelligence and the digital economy, and China will continue to provide assistance within its capacity to Laos.

Third, strengthen traditional friendship between the two peoples. Taking the Year of China-Laos Friendship as an opportunity, the two sides should expand cooperation in culture, education, health care and local exchanges, make good use of their shared revolutionary heritage, and enhance mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples. China is willing to work with Laos to implement talent training programs and deliver more “small and beautiful” livelihood projects.

Fourth, improve coordination on foreign policies. China appreciates Laos for adhering to the one-China principle, supporting the four major global initiatives, taking an active part in the Belt and Road cooperation, as well as firmly supporting China’s core interests and major concerns. China looks forward to Laos playing a greater role in regional and international affairs. The two sides should strengthen multilateral coordination and safeguard the common interests of the Global South.

Thongloun Sisoulith stated this visit carries great significance, as it is the first official overseas visit since his re-election as General Secretary of the LPRP Central Committee and President of Laos, which also falls on the 65th anniversary of bilateral ties and the Year of Laos-China Friendship. The Lao side expresses sincere gratitude for China’s long-standing support and assistance to Laos. During the visit, Thongloun Sisoulith noted that he witnessed China’s tremendous achievements under the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. China now stands as the leading banner for the socialist system and developing countries, and a mainstay in safeguarding world peace and promoting the building of a multipolar world. China’s development has provided valuable experience for the vast number of developing countries, including Laos. The bilateral relations are at their best in history, and the Lao side firmly adheres to the one-China principle and supports the series of major global initiatives put forward by General Secretary Xi Jinping. Laos highly values and supports the elevation of bilateral relations and stands ready to strengthen political mutual trust, enhance defense and law enforcement cooperation, jointly combat online gambling and telecom fraud, deepen cooperation in trade, investment, mineral resource development, clean energy, digital economy, modern agriculture and ecological protection, and promote people-to-people exchanges, so as to elevate the building of an all-weather Laos-China community with a shared future for the new era to higher levels.

After the talks, the two sides jointly witnessed the signing of cooperation documents covering areas such as inter-party exchanges, people’s wellbeing, finance, customs, trade, youth exchanges and media.

Prior to the talks, Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan held a welcome ceremony for Thongloun Sisoulith and his wife Naly Sisoulith on the square outside the eastern entrance of the Great Hall of the People. As Thongloun Sisoulith arrived, honor guards lined up in salutation. After Xi Jinping and Thongloun Sisoulith stepped onto the reviewing stand, the military band played the national anthems of China and Laos. A 21-gun salute was performed on the Tian’anmen Square. Thongloun Sisoulith reviewed the guard of honor of the People’s Liberation Army and watched the march-past in Xi Jinping’s company. Children holding flower bouquets and waving the party flags and national flags of China and Laos cheered to greet them.

In the evening, Xi Jinping and Peng Liyuan hosted a welcome banquet for Thongloun Sisoulith and his wife in the Golden Hall of the Great Hall of the People.

Cai Qi, Wang Yi, and other officials attended the relevant events.