Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Lao Foreign Minister Thongsavanh Phomvihane convened in Anning, Yunnan Province, on Thursday, reaffirming commitments to deepen bilateral cooperation and regional stability. The meeting highlighted China's strategic partnership with Laos as both nations navigate evolving economic and geopolitical landscapes.
Strategic Collaboration Takes Center Stage
Wang Yi emphasized China's readiness to implement high-level agreements between the two countries, including expanding trade and industrial chain security. "China will encourage enterprises to invest in Laos while resisting economic coercion," he stated, signaling a shared stance against external pressures.
Laos Joins SCO: A New Chapter
Wang welcomed Laos as a dialogue partner of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), noting expectations for its contributions to regional security and development. Thongsavanh thanked China for its support, pledging closer coordination to uphold "international fairness and justice." The move aligns with Laos' broader goal of advancing a "community with a shared future" with China.
Lancang-Mekong Cooperation in Focus
The talks occurred during preparations for the 10th Lancang-Mekong Cooperation Foreign Ministers' Meeting, underscoring water resource management and infrastructure development priorities for Southeast Asian nations. Analysts view the dialogue as a step toward balancing economic growth with ecological sustainability in the Mekong region.
