On June 23 2025, Secretary General Shi Zhongjun of the ASEAN-China Centre (ACC) met with Deputy Minister Phongsavanh SISOULATH of Foreign Affairs of Laos in Vientiane. Representatives from relevant departments of the Lao Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Lao Embassy in China also attended the meeting.

Shi Zhongjun appreciated the Lao Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Lao Embassy in China for the consistent support for the ACC’s work, especially the attendance of the Lao National Assembly Vice Presidents at the ASEAN-China Week in China over the past two years. The ACC has been committed to implementing the consensus reached by ASEAN and Chinese leaders. Under the framework of the ASEAN-China Year of People-to-people Exchanges, the ACC continues to engage in practical cooperation with Laos and other ASEAN Member States (AMS) in six pillar areas, namely trade, investment, education, culture, tourism and media. This visit by a delegation of Chinese agricultural related enterprises, research institutes and academia to Laos, aims to further explore opportunities for deepening Laos-China collaboration across whole-process agricultural cooperation. It also seeks to align China’s regional advantages with Laos’ agricultural needs, thus injecting new momentum into building a closer Laos-China community with a shared future.

Phongsavanh SISOULATH highly commended the ACC’s proactive efforts in advancing the ASEAN-China Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. He underlined that under the strategic guidance of leaders from both Laos and China, the building of the Laos-China community with a shared future is progressing steadily. Noting that next year marks the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, it is proposed organizing commemorative activities to further deepen and develop bilateral relations. Emphasizing Laos’ strong demand for agricultural cooperation, he expressed keenness to strengthen practical collaboration with China in areas such as agricultural and food security. He also expressed hope that the ACC would leverage its strengths to support the development of Lao small and medium-sized enterprises and enhance the quality and efficiency of the tourism sector, thus achieving mutual benefit and win-win outcomes.