Jiang, the first Chinese head of state who has visited this

neighboring land-locked nation, is paying the state visit at the invitation of Lao President Khamtay Siphandone.

At 18:35 local time, Jiang's special plane landed at the Wattay airport, where Jiang and his wife were greeted by Lao Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Somsavat Lengsavad and his wife.

Jiang's entourage who arrived aboard the same plane included his wife Wang Yeping, Chinese Vice Premier Qian Qichen and his wife Zhou Hanqiong, Member of the Secretariat of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee Zeng Qinghong, Minister in charge of the State Development and Planning Commission Zeng Peiyan, Director of the Policy Research Office of CPC Central Committee Teng Wensheng, Deputy Director of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee and Director of the Central Guard Bureau You Xigui, Vice Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation Zhang Xiang, Director of the President's Office Jia Ting'an and Assistant Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

In a written speech delivered at the airport, Jiang said that China and Laos are linked by common mountains and rivers. The traditional friendship between the two peoples has endured the ordeal of time. "At the turn of the century, Sino-Lao relationship has witnessed sound development momentum with tangible results scored in bilateral exchanges and cooperation in all fields," he said.

"The further consolidation and development of the good-neighborhood and full-round cooperation between our two countries is in the fundamental interests of the two peoples and conducive to the peace and stability in the region," he said.

During the visit, Jiang will have an in-depth exchange of views with Lao leaders on how to strengthen the Sino-Lao relationship and other issues of mutual interest. "I will also have an opportunity to learn about the economic and social development in Laos," he said.

Jiang in the speech expressed the belief that the visit will promote the new development of Sino-Lao good-neighborly and friendly relations in the new century.

Laos is the first-leg of Jiang's week-long visit. He is also to pay state visit to Cambodia and Brunei, and attend the eighth informal summit of Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) held in Brunei capital Bandar Seri Begawan.

(Xinhua 11/12/2000)