Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said in Vientiane Tuesday that China will stick to its friendly policy toward Laos no matter how the world situation changes.

"The Chinese government attaches great importance to the good neighborly cooperative relations with Laos," Wen said when meeting with President of the Lao National Assembly Samane Vignaket on the sidelines of the 10th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit here.

China is willing to work together with the Lao side to promote the long-term stable, comprehensive and good-neighborly relations of mutual trust, Wen noted, expressing his support for exchanges and cooperation between legislatures of both sides.

Wen also congratulated Laos on the successful convening of a series of ASEAN-related meetings in Vientiane.

Samane said Wen's visit to Laos will promote their friendly relations of cooperation, stressing that China's help is a key to the successful convening of the ASEAN meetings.
 
The Lao people appreciate the assistance provided by China over the years and the Lao legislatures will make more efforts for the Lao-Chinese friendship, he added.

Wen arrived in Vientiane on Sunday for his first official visit to Laos as premier and the ASEAN-related meetings. He is expected to fly to Beijing later Tuesday.

(Xinhua News Agency December 1, 2004)