
VIENTIANE, May 12 (Xinhua) -- Lao President Bounnhang Vorachit said on Thursday that the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative has been bringing tangible benefits to the participants including Laos.
In an interview with Xinhua and other Chinese media in Lao capital Vientiane, the top Lao leader, who will attend the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation scheduled for May 14-15 in Beijing, said the initiative has played a positive role in promoting regional inter-connectivity and integration.
"No single country can solve all kinds of problems on its own. Mutual benefit and win-win cooperation are the reality of today's world," he said.
"The Belt and Road Initiative was proposed by China at a right time, and helps strengthen cooperation through facility connection, financial connection and people-to-people connection," he noted.
The initiative helps create opportunities and improve the socio-economy in Laos and other developing countries, Bounnhang said, citing the construction of a Laos-China railway project, which, as a "prioritized development policy of Laos," is turning Laos from a "land-locked" nation to a "land-linked" one.
"I believe that the Laos-China railway is an important project of the Belt and Road Initiative and will help Laos achieve inter-connectivity in infrastructure construction, trade and investment, as well as people-to-people linkage," he said.
He announced that during the upcoming forum, the Lao Ministry of Planning and Investment is expected to sign with China a cooperation plan to further promote the Belt and Road Initiative to benefit the two countries.
"I'm sure that the implementation of the plan will benefit Lao social and economic development. I highly appreciate the early harvest of the initiative," Bounnhang said.
The Lao president said his country has geographical advantages in the implementation of the Belt and Road Initiative, and China has an edge in finance, talents and technology. Thus cooperation between the two countries can help Laos realize its development targets.
In his view, the Belt and Road Initiative also facilitates the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (LMC) mechanism among China and relevant countries like Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam, and enhances the integration within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
"The Belt and Road Initiative has made positive contributions to the inter-connectivity in Greater Mekong Subregion, in ASEAN region and in the whole world. The cooperation framework between Laos and China focuses on mutual assistance and joint development," he noted.
According to the Chinese Foreign Ministry, 29 heads of state and government will attend the Belt and Road forum.
Fire brigade in Shanghai holds group wedding
Tourists enjoy ice sculptures in Datan Town, north China
Sunset scenery of Dayan Pagoda in Xi'an
Tourists have fun at scenic spot in Nanlong Town, NW China
Harbin attracts tourists by making best use of ice in winter
In pics: FIS Alpine Ski Women's World Cup Slalom
Black-necked cranes rest at reservoir in Lhunzhub County, Lhasa
China's FAST telescope will be available to foreign scientists in April
"She power" plays indispensable role in poverty alleviation
Top 10 world news events of People's Daily in 2020
Top 10 China news events of People's Daily in 2020
Top 10 media buzzwords of 2020
Year-ender:10 major tourism stories of 2020
No interference in Venezuelan issues
Biz prepares for trade spat
Broadcasting Continent
Australia wins Chinese CEOs as US loses