On November 19, 2006, Hu Jintao, General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and Chinese President, who has just arrived in Vientiane, capital of Laos for a state visit, held talks with Choummaly Sayasone, General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (PRP) and Lao President. The two leaders agreed to make joint efforts to push the relations between the two parties and countries to a new level based on the principles of long-term stability, good-neighborly friendship, mutual trust and comprehensive cooperation.

Hu said since the establishment of diplomatic ties 30 years ago, the Lao people, under the PRP's leadership, have achieved noticeable results in their development endeavor. The Chinese side firmly stands with Laos, and wishes the Lao people greater achievements in their socialist construction and reform and opening up cause.

Choummaly warmly welcomed Hu's visit to the country, saying that the Chinese president has brought with him the profound and comradely friendship of Chinese people towards the Lao people. Choummaly believed this visit will help deepen the traditional friendship and cement the unity between the two parties and peoples. He wished the Chinese people, under the CPC's leadership, greater achievements in building socialism with Chinese characteristics.

Hu pointed out in the new century, bilateral ties have enjoyed all-round and in-depth development with a sound momentum of development in multiple areas and at various levels. The leaders of both sides have maintained frequent contacts and sincere exchanges and the two countries have conducted vigorous exchanges in the theory and practice of socialism and carder training with leap-frog growth in bilateral trade, smooth progress in cooperation projects, close exchanges between legislatures, political consultation organizations, government departments and non-governmental organizations of the two countries, and stronger cooperation in the areas of defense, security, education and youth, as well as in regional affairs. Hu expressed his appreciation for Laos's consistent and firm support for China on Taiwan, Tibet, human rights and other major questions involving China's state sovereignty and core interest.

Choummaly said the good neighborly and friendly relations and the friendship between the two peoples go back to ancient times and both sides have supported each other in the process of revolution and development for a long period of time. In the new century the Laos-China relations based on the principles of long-term stability, good neighborly friendship, mutual trust and all-round cooperation have made continuous progress and have become common treasure of the two parties and peoples. Choummaly said no matter what changes take place in the international situations, Laos will firmly develop comprehensive friendly cooperation with China, which conforms to the fundamental interest of the two countries and their peoples. He said the Laos abides by the one-China policy, opposes "Taiwan independence" secessionist activities of any form and supports China's reunification.

Hu stressed as both countries are building socialism, advancing reform and opening up and exploring a development path suitable to their national realities, there is broad common strategic interest between both sides. Hu said to strengthen bilateral traditional friendship and overall cooperation is in the fundamental interest of the two peoples and conducive to peace, stability and prosperity in the region. He said the Chinese side attaches great importance to bilateral relations and will be good neighbor, friend, comrade and partners of the Lao side forever. The Chinese president made a five-point proposal for the further development of Sino-Lao relations. The first is to maintain high-level annual meeting mechanism to discuss issues of common concern and strengthen guidance for the development of bilateral ties. The second is to strengthen exchanges of governing experience so as to learn from each other. The third is to strengthen the guiding and coordinating role of the cooperation committees in trade cooperation, explore new ways and channels of trade for new breakthroughs and step up efforts to well implement key cooperation projects already agreed upon. The Chinese side will encourage more Chinese investment in the Laos and continue to provide aid to the Laos within its capability. The fourth is to strengthen cooperation in safeguarding security along their borders and fighting against cross-border crimes, and promote youth exchanges and cooperation in education, health and tourism. China will continue to dispatch young volunteers to Laos. The fifth is to enhance mutual support in international and regional affairs and conduct timely coordination on major international and regional issues. Both sides should keep closer coordination and cooperation in China-ASEAN, the UN and other multilateral mechanisms to safeguard their common interest.

Agreeing with Hu on his important suggestions about bilateral ties, Choummaly said the Lao side will work with the Chinese side to implement these proposals. Choummaly briefed Hu on Laos's domestic development and hoped that the two countries will strengthen cooperation in economy, trade, investment, power, mining, infrastructure construction and tourism. The Lao president urged both sides to give full play to the cooperation committees and explore new ways and approaches for economic and trade cooperation to enhance cooperation efficiency.

After the talks, Hu and Choummaly attended a signing ceremony for bilateral cooperative documents covering economic and technological cooperation, health, power and E-government, as well as a ceremony marking the inauguration of an FM radio station of the China Radio International in Vientiane.

Prior to the talks, Hu attended a grand welcoming ceremony hosted by Choummaly. On the evening of the same day, Hu attended a welcoming banquet given by the Lao president.

Wang Gang, Alternate Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, Member of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee and Director of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee, and other accompanying officials attended these activities.