China and Laos reached comprehensive agreement on Sunday to boost their all-round and cooperative relations, eyeing on further achievement in traditional friendship and bilateral ties.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao meets Lao President Choummaly Saygnasone

The two nations also signed seven cooperation agreements in the sectors of economy, technology, energy and e-governance after talks between visiting Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and his Lao counterpart Bouasone Bouphavanh.

Wen, on his first foreign visit since being re-appointed premier in March, hailed the traditional friendship and recent development of relations between the two nations, noting that China will continue to promote high-level official exchange to expand the mutual political trust, cement the bilateral cooperation and push forward the bilateral relations to a higher level.

Wen appreciated the Lao side for its firm adherence to the one- China policy and its supports for China's reunification efforts, noting that the two nations need to learn from each other, help each other and progress together at a time when the international situation is becoming more and more complex.

Wen proposed the two nations to expand the two-way trade and mutual investment, boost the cooperation in fields like infrastructure, human resource, science and technology, education and national defense, and make special efforts to help Laos promote its capacity building process.

Bouasone agreed with Wen's views on the bilateral relations, saying that the Lao people are grateful for China's supports for the nation's economic and social development.

Laos highly values its ties with China and is willing to make concerted efforts with China to step up the friendly and cooperative relations, Bouasone said.

Wen briefed Bouasone about the facts and true situation in the Lhasa riot which occurred on March 14 involving the crimes of beating, smashing, looting and burning.

Bouasone condemned the violence, saying that Laos backs China's actions to maintain social stability and safeguard interests of its people in Tibet.

Bouasone also expressed his best wish for the success of the Olympic Games to be convened in Beijing this summer.

On the same day, Wen also met with Lao President Choummaly Saygnasone. The two sides applauded the rapid development of the bilateral relations and agreed to fortify exchange and cooperation in various fields in a bid to achieve common development and prosperity.

Invited as the guest of Lao Prime Minister Bouasone Bouphavanh, Wen arrived here on Saturday evening for a working visit to Laos. He will also attend the Third Greater Mekong Subregion Summit scheduled on Monday.

(Xinhua News Agency March 30, 2008)