The opening session of our China Conference 2025, held in London on September 27, was addressed by senior diplomats from the embassies of the People’s Republic of China, Republic of Cuba, Russian Federation, Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela and Lao People’s Democratic Republic.
We are very pleased to print below the warm speech given by Comrade Thavone Singharaj, Counsellor and Deputy Head of Mission of the Lao Embassy.
The speech outlines the thriving bilateral relations, across various sectors, between the two socialist neighbours as Laos prepares for its 12th national party congress, due to be held in early 2026, and to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the founding of the people’s democratic republic on December 2nd this year.
It is a profound privilege and honour for me to join comrades today, and I would like to thank Comrade Keith Bennett for giving this opportunity.
As you may know, this year marks the 76th Anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China whereby we are about to hear stories of both the past and current development of China later today. While I am taking the floor, I would like to express my congratulations and appreciation for the successful hosting of the 25th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Summit 2025, as well as the commemorations marking the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War held earlier this month. These two historical events organised by the Party and State of China are considered to elevate the role of the Communist Party of China and the People’s Republic of China on the international stage, showing the world community the strength and growth of the People’s Republic of China amidst the complex changes in the regional and international situation in recent years.
I would also like to congratulate the outstanding achievements that the Party, State and people of China have achieved under the leadership of the Communist Party of China with General Secretary and President Xi Jinping at the core, especially the implementation of the Resolutions of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China and the 14th Five-Year Plan for Socio-Economic Development of the Chinese Government, just to name some.
Back to 25 April 1961, Laos and China established bilateral relations making this year the 64th anniversary of diplomatic relations. Since then, our bilateral relations and cooperation have gradually enhanced from strength to strength. Our two nations have stood side-by-side through times of struggle and currently work together to advance socialist development and prosperity.
The latest visit to China by H.E. Thongloun Sisoulith, General Secretary of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP) and President of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (LPDR) on 4-6 September has brought our bilateral relations to a greater height. Our two nations have signed a total of 11 cooperation documents in order to pave the way for our future directions. The two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to work together and also agreed to focus on the operation of the China-Laos Railway and development along the route to upgrade key projects in defence, law enforcement and security, and other fields. In addition, both sides valued that the Laos-China and China-Laos relationship is now at the best in history and will work together to implement a new shared future Master Plan (2024-2028) and pledged to accelerate its implementation for even greater success, which has laid a strong foundation for cooperation across multiple sectors.
To date, China is Laos’ largest investor and a major trading partner. In 2024, the value of bilateral trade reached a record US$8.23 billion, an increase of 15.9 percent on the previous year. Among the key achievements, the China-Laos Railway has become a flagship symbol of the partnership, transporting more than 50 million passengers since coming into service. The railway has transformed Laos from a landlocked country into a land-linked hub, connecting it with Thailand, Singapore, and beyond. This increased connectivity has boosted tourism, trade, economic growth and people-to-people exchanges.
As you may know the China-Laos Economic Corridor is a major infrastructure and economic development initiative linking our two countries and a crucial part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) aiming at enhancing connectivity, trade, investment as well as people-to-people exchanges between the two nations. Notably the Boten-Vientiane Railway is the most prominent project.
The railway is not only a catalyst for trade but also a symbol of broader strategic collaboration. In March 2025, the railway celebrated a major milestone, surpassing 56 million of cargo transported since the inception in December 2021.
At the heart of the China-Laos Economic Corridor lies the China-Laos Railway, a flagship US$6 billion project under the BRI. The 1,035-kilometre railway connects Kunming in China’s Yunnan province to the Lao capital Vientiane and serves as a physical and strategic backbone for economic development across the region. Since its launch in December 2021, the railway has not only redefined regional logistics but also become a vital artery of the emerging China-Laos Economic Corridor.
I am very happy to see that the traditional friendship between Laos and China is at its best in the history of relations between the two countries. The establishment of a partnership of shared future between the two countries has been actively implemented and has yielded tangible results. The two sides continue to have close political and security cooperation and high-level political trust, which is an important foundation for promoting the deepening of economic and trade cooperation between the two countries and bringing tangible results to the people of the two nations.
In terms of party cooperation, this is the final year of the implementation of the 2021-2025 Inter-Party Cooperation Plan and the 2021-2025 Inter-Party Personnel Training Cooperation Plan, which the two sides have jointly implemented with great success. Both sides agreed to renew a new Inter-Party Cooperation Plan to serve as a basis for the cooperation between the two parties in the new period (2026-2030).
Laos is the only landlocked country in Southeast Asia and one of the existing communist countries. Despite many difficulties, under the comprehensive leadership of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party, the Lao PDR has been able to ensure political stability and national security, enjoy basic social peace, and continuously grow the economy, and gradually improve the people’s living standards.
At present, the Lao PDR is focusing on implementing the resolutions of the 11th National Congress in the final stage and preparing for the 12th National Congress of the Lao PRP to be held in early 2026.
More importantly, this year marks a golden jubilee of the 70th Anniversary of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party and the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Lao PDR.
Finally, I wish to thank Keith Bennett to make this happen together with your able team for their tireless work. May I wish all comrades, friends, and distinguished guests good health, well-being, and greater success in your noble tasks and undertakings.
I thank you.
