Jiang Meets Prime Minister of Laos

Visiting Chinese PresidentJiang Zemin Sunday morning met with Lao Prime Minister SisavathKeobounphanh in the Lao Presidential Palace. 

During the meeting, Jiang said we had met each other when Prime Minister paid a visit to China last year. You are an old friend of theChinese people and have made important contributions to the development of the relations between the two countries. It is very happy to meet you again in Vientiane.

Sisavath replied that he is very happy to meet Jiang inVientiane. Jiang's current visit is historical and a great support to the on-going renovation and opening-up drive ofthe Lao government and people. He sincerely welcome President Jiang's visit to Laos.

Speaking highly of China's achievements in its reform and opening-up, he said the talks between Presidents Jiang and Khamtayhave laid a solid foundation for furthering the relations betweenthe two countries. The Lao government will firmly carry out thecommon understanding reached by the heads of state. 

Jiang said, "I have long wanted to visit Laos -- China's close neighbor, and today my desire is finally realized. Jiang expressed his thanks for the warm reception he received. 

The Sino-Lao relations in the political, economic and otherfields are developing soundly, Jiang pointed out, and to strengthen the long-term good-neighborliness is in the fundamental interests of their peoples. 

"I and President Khamtay have exchanged views for the bilateral, all-round cooperation in the new millenium in an in-depth way, and have reached wide-ranging consensus." Stressing that the world is rich and varied, Jiang said that every nation, big or small, has its own weakness and strong points,and good neighbors like China and Laos, in particular, should learn from each other.