The Opening Ceremony of the Guest Country of the 2017 South & Southeast Asia Commodity Expo and Investment Fair（SSACEIF）was held on 12 June 2017 in the Kunming Dianchi International Exhibition Center. H.E. Mr. Somsavat Lengsavad, former Standing Deputy Prime Minister of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, and Adviser to the Central Committee of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party, H.E. Mr. Khamlien Pholsena, Vice Minister of Planning and Investment, H.E. Mr. Phengphavanh Daophonchaleune, Vice-Governor of Namtha province, H.E. Bounlod Onphachan, Vice-Secretary of Oudomxay Provincial Party Committee of the Lao PDR, H.E. Mr. Chen Shun，Vice Governor of the People’s Government of Yunnan province，H.E. Mr. Gao Shuxun, Executive Director of the SSACEIF Committee, and H.E. Mme. Yang Xiuping, Secretary-General of ASEAN-China Centre (ACC), attended the opening ceremony and cut the ribbon for the launch of the Lao Pavilion.

H.E. Khamlien Pholsena, Vice Minister of Planning and Investment of the Lao PDR delivered speech at the opening ceremony. He expressed that the Belt and Road Imitative proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping has brought new and enormous opportunities for its neighbouring countries, especially the Lao PDR which connected with China by mountains and rivers. At present, notable progress has been made in a series of strategic cooperation projects including railways and satellites which broaden spectrum for bilateral relations. As the Lao PDR is the Guest Country of the SSACEIF, 20-plus enterprises of the Lao PDR have set up more than 50 booths to showcase unique local products, achievements of China-Laos cooperation as well as the Lao culture and tradition. By attending the SSACEIF, the Lao PDR hopes to deepen the practical cooperation in the fields of trade, investment and tourism with China, especially Yunnan province.

Secretary-General Yang Xiuping also visited the ASEAN Pavilion and ACC Booth. She exchanged ideas with businessmen attending the Fair and accompanying officials of CCPIT of Yunnan branch.?