On the afternoon of August 24, 2007, Chinese President Hu Jintao met with Laotian Prime Minister Bouasone Bouphavanh at the Great Hall of the People.

Hu said recent years have witnessed sound, in-depth development of bilateral ties with fruitful cooperation in all areas. The Communist Party of China (CPC) and the Chinese government cherish the traditional friendship with Laos and are ready to work with it to push bilateral comprehensive cooperation to a new level based on the principle of long-term stability, good-neighborly friendship, mutual trust and all-round cooperation, said Hu. He added China and Laos share huge potential and broad prospect for pragmatic cooperation. The president expressed hope that both sides will make joint efforts to seriously implement the consensus reached and cooperation agreements signed by the leaders of the two countries, give full play to the functions and roles of the existing cooperation mechanisms and enhance cooperation quality and level. He also urged both countries to strengthen cooperation in some key areas such as trade, energy, mining, infrastructure, agriculture and human resources. Hu suggested that both sides well implement the large contracted projects between them to benefit the two peoples as soon as possible so that the growth of the two economies can supplement each other. Bilateral cooperation should be combined with carrying out economic and social development plans of the two countries for tangible effects, in a bid to open up a new situation for China-Laos comprehensive cooperation, he added.

Hailing China as a trustworthy and close friend, Bouasone said Laos is greatly encouraged by China's enormous achievements in building socialism with Chinese characteristics. He said this visit is aimed at implementing the important consensus reached by the two heads of state on advancing good-neighborly, friendly relations. The development of the bilateral relations not only serves the common interests of the two peoples, but also helps promote the regional and world peace and development. The Laotian government and its people will continue to offer their supports for China's development, and on China's reunification cause and its positions about issues concerning Tibet and human rights, Bouasone said. He expressed belief that the China-Laos comprehensive cooperative relations will be further developed.

Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi and other officials attended the meeting.