On November 19, 2006, Hu Jintao, General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and Chinese President, arrived in Vientiane, capital of Laos, for a state visit to the Southeast Asian nation, which is aimed at building up the traditional friendship, strengthening political trust, deepening mutually beneficial cooperation and blueprinting the future development of China-Laos relations.

Hu's current state visit to Laos is the first one by a head of state of China since the formation of the new leadership of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (PRP) and the Lao government, as well as the second visit to the country by a top Chinese leader since 2000.

During his stay in Vientiane, Hu will hold talks with the leaders of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (PRP) and the Lao government.

The comprehensive cooperation featuring long-term stability, good neighborly friendship, and mutual trust between the two countries is deepening with frequent high-level visits, growing exchanges of governing experience and cooperation in carder training and rapidly developing economic and trade cooperation. Both sides have expanded their cooperation in national defense, public security, education and youth and supported each other in international and regional affairs. This year is the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties and both sides have held a series of activities to mark the event, which helped strengthen traditional friendship and cooperation in all areas.

Hu flew in from the Vietnamese capital of Hanoi after paying a state visit to the country and after attending the two-day 14th Economic Leaders' Meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC).

Laos is the second leg of his current four-nation Asia tour, which will also take him to India and Pakistan.