Lao PM voices support for China's stance on South China Sea arbitration

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (right) meets with Lao Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith on the sidelines of  the 11th Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) summit in Ulaanbaatar July 15, 2016.[Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

ULAN BATOR - Lao Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith said here Thursday that Laos supports China's stance on the South China Sea arbitration case unilaterally initiated by the former Philippine government.

Thongloun made the remarks in a meeting with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, who expounded China's principle and stance on the arbitration case.

The Lao prime minister said his country stands ready to work with China to maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea region.

Li appreciated the efforts made by Laos, which holds the rotating chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) this year, in boosting the development of ASEAN, safeguarding regional peace, and promoting regional cooperation.

China is willing to work with Laos to jointly push forward pragmatic cooperation within such framework as China-ASEAN dialogue relations, so as to make positive contributions to the welfare of the people in both countries and in this region.

Thongloun, for his part, said Laos is willing to join hands with all relevant parties to make the activities marking the 25th anniversary of ASEAN-China dialogue relationship a success, and promote the development of ASEAN-China relations.

On bilateral relations, Li said China is ready to increase high-level exchanges with Laos, continue to firmly support each other, deepen pragmatic cooperation in various areas, and strengthen coordination and collaboration in international and regional affairs, so as to further enrich the connotation of their comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership.

Li said the two countries should propel the comprehensive construction of a bilateral railway project, strengthen cooperation in production capacity and investment, and build more demonstrative projects in such areas as infrastructure, electric power and energy.

Thongloun spoke highly of the development of Laos-China relations and the sound communication and coordination the two sides kept in international and regional affairs.

The Lao side stands ready to work with China to strengthen the alignment of their development strategies and strives for a comprehensive construction of the Laos-China railway project within this year, he said.

The two prime ministers will join other Asian and European leaders on Friday and Saturday at the 11th Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) summit in Ulaanbaatar.