VIENTIANE, Oct. 12 (Xinhua) — China and Laos agreed to strengthen mutually beneficial and better cooperation in a joint statement issued in VIENTIANE on Saturday during Chinese Premier Li Qiang’s official visit to the People’s Democratic Republic Lao on October 11 and 12 at the invitation of its Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone.

In the statement, China and Laos agreed to continue strengthening practical cooperation within the framework of strategic alignment between China’s Belt and Road Initiative and Laos’ strategy to “convert the landlocked country into a hub connected to the earth” and to implement the broad outlines of the initiative. cooperation plan for the joint construction of the Belt and Road between the two countries.

The two sides agreed to promote high-quality operation, maintenance and development along the China-Laos Railway, actively promote the “joxtaposed border control” of the China-Laos Railway to realize substantial progress as soon as possible, and strive for the standard gauge connection of the China-Laos Railway and the Thai Railway at an early date to promote the implementation of the development prospects of the China connectivity corridor -Laos-Thailand, indicates the press release.

China appreciates Laos’ interest and intention to cooperate in the field of Chinese commercial aircraft and welcomes Lao aviation companies to introduce these aircraft, he added.

The two countries will further strengthen trade and increase the scale and level of trade. To this end, China and Laos will work together to implement the zero tariff agreement for 100 percent of Lao products exported to China, and promote higher quality Lao agricultural and food exports to China, added the press release.