President Jiang Meets Lao President Khamtay

Visiting President Jiang Zemin held formal talks with Lao President Khamtay Siphandone in a friendly and cordial atmonsphere at the Presidential Palace on the morning of Nov. 12, 2000, during which the two heads of state reached complete consensus on all issues they discussed.



Khamtay first warmly welcomed President Jiang’s historic state visit to Laos on behalf of the Party, Government and people of Laos. He noted that President Jiang’s visit to Laos takes place at a time when we are about to enter the new century and the Lao-Chinese all-round cooperation is enjoying profound development. Therefore, the visit will be of special significance to the promotion of bilateral friendly cooperation in the new century. Khamtay also said that the visit itself means tremendous support for the efforts made by the Laos to defend, build the country and push forward renovation and opening-up. It was his sincere hope that President Jiang’s visit will be crowned with full success.



President Jiang expressed his pleasure of being invited to pay a state visit to Laos by President Khamtay. He said that he has been overwhelmed by the warm welcome accorded to him by the Lao leaders and government and is very impressed by the friendly feelings cherished by the Lao people to the Chinese people.

He went on to say that frequent contacts between Chinese and Lao leaders are important for the growth of bilateral ties. He hoped to avail himself of this opportunity to exchange views with President Khamtay on issues of mutual concern and ways to further the Sino-Lao good-neighborly, friendly and all-round cooperation, in particular. It is his conviction that the visit will be fruitful and provide guidance to the development of bilateral ties in the new century.



He went on to say that China and Laos have a lot in common. China and Laos are close neighbors, both belonging to the developing countries. What is more, while adhering to the socialist road, they are confronting with the new test of choosing a right way before entering the new century.



The two Presidents reviewed the development and historical experience of socialism in their talks. President Jiang pointed out that in the past one and half centuries, socialism has evolved from being utopian to being scientific, from a social practice adopted by only one country to a number of countries worldwide, from revolution to construction which has opened up a brand-new road for the social progress of humanity and greatly changed the outlook of the world. He added that the development of socialism has not been plain sailing. Communists worldwide are rethinking and re-understanding the concept of socialism and how to build socialism while exploring ways of socialist development that suits their respective national conditions. Jiang said that the historical changes taken place in China after the adoption of reform and opening-up is the result of combining scientific socialist theory with China's reality and demonstrates the successful implementation of scientific socialism in the East. It approves that socialism represents the progress of history and is a cause with hope and vitality.



On the Sino-Lao ties, Jiang said that just like the Lao comrades, China is very satisfied with the present bilateral relationship. The characteristics of bilateral ties can be summed up as mutual trust, mutual support, treating each other as equals, non-interference in the other's affairs, and sincere cooperation. President Jiang also expressed thanks for Laos' long-term adherence to the One-China policy and steadfast support to China's reunification cause.



Jiang said that the Communist Party of China and the Chinese government attached importance to intensifying bilateral friendly relations and cooperation with Laos. As close neighbors, it is of great importance to step up bilateral all-round cooperation. Such relationship is in the interests of the two peoples and conducive to peace and development in the region. The Joint Declaration on bilateral cooperation that China and Laos are going to sign sets forth the future development course of bilateral relations in the new century, that is to develop the long-term, stable, good-neighborly and mutually trust cooperation and friendship.



Jiang also said China is willing to keep frequent contacts with the Lao side at all levels. He invited President Khamtay and other Lao leaders to visit China more often and expressed China’s readiness to communicate with Lao friends on various regional and multi-lateral occasions.

He added that China would also strengthen the mutually beneficial cooperation with Laos in economic and trade areas, which constitutes the important basis of bilateral relations with great potentials to be tapped. He told his Lao counterpart that the two countries may further the mutually beneficial cooperation in such areas as trade, investment and agriculture, personnel training of various departments, as well as the cooperation and coordination in the East Asian region and other world affairs.



After expressing gratitude for Jiang's introduction, Khamtay said that the Chinese theory of building socialism with Chinese characteristics and its experience gained in construction are also conducive to Laos. The direction set forth by Jiang on developing bilateral ties and his concrete ideas fully demonstrate the mutual understanding, traditional friendship and solidarity between the two countries and the two peoples. He agreed with President Jiang in this aspect.

Khamtay also reiterated that Laos will firmly adhere to the One-China policy and said that China's principle of "peaceful reunification and one country, two systems" is correct and suitable to China's national conditions. He believed that China's

reunification will be eventually achieved.

Khamtay also expressed satisfaction with the in-depth and fruitful development of the Lao-Chinese relationship and expressed thanks for China's support and assistance to Laos in various fields at different periods, adding that Laos is willing to further strengthen the comprehensive, long-term, mutually-beneficial and fruitful cooperation with China. The two Presidents also briefed each other on their respective domestic situations.

Khamtay briefed Jiang on the Lao renovation and opening-up drive and the future socio-economic development program.

Jiang spoke highly of the changes taken place in Laos after its renovation and opening-up campaign. New achievements have been made after the Sixth Congress of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party. Laos has successfully mitigated the difficulties brought about by Asian financial crisis while maintaining its national and social stability and its agricultural production has shown signs of positive rebound. China is very pleased with this.

The two heads of state also exchanged views on current international situation.

Prior to the formal talks, President Khamtay and his wife met with President Jiang and his wife Wang Yeping at the Meeting Hall of the Presidential Palace, during which they held friendly and pleasant talks.