China and Laos have celebrated the inauguration of the China-aided Mahosot General Hospital building in Vientiane, marking a significant milestone in their collaborative efforts under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). The ceremony, held on Saturday, was attended by Chinese Premier Li Qiang and Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone, who both expressed commitment to further strengthening the China-Laos community with a shared future.
Premier Li extended warm congratulations on the successful completion of the hospital, highlighting the dedication and cooperation between Chinese and Lao builders who overcame numerous challenges to deliver the project with assured quality. He emphasized that Mahosot General Hospital, now the largest and best-equipped modern comprehensive hospital in Laos, will play a crucial role in improving local medical services and enhancing the skills of medical professionals.
“The hospital is a significant achievement of China-Laos high-quality cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative and a testament to the enduring and strengthening friendship between our nations,” Li stated. He noted that, guided by the strategic direction of their state leaders, China and Laos have deepened practical cooperation, completed several key infrastructure projects, and injected strong momentum into economic development and the improvement of people’s livelihoods in both countries.
In response, Prime Minister Sonexay expressed profound appreciation for China’s long-term support of Laos’s economic and social development. He acknowledged the invaluable assistance provided by China in improving the well-being of the Lao people, particularly through landmark projects like the Mahosot General Hospital. “The hospital is a significant livelihood project that plays an essential role in enhancing medical conditions and safeguarding the health of our people,” he remarked.
Sonexay affirmed Laos’s willingness to collaborate closely with China to strengthen comprehensive cooperation and to achieve more fruitful results in building the Laos-China community with a shared future.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by nearly 200 representatives from both governments, construction companies, and the medical staff of Mahosot General Hospital, symbolizing a collective commitment to advancing healthcare and fostering closer ties between China and Laos.
(With input from Xinhua)
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
