Hu Jintao (C), general secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and Chinese president, reviews the honor guard in company with Choummaly Sayasone (L), general secretary of the Central Committee of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (PRP) and the Lao president, in Vientiane, capital of Laos, Nov. 19, 2006. Hu jintao arrived here Sunday to start a state visit to Laos.  (Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery >>>

Hu Jintao (L), general secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and Chinese president, meets with Choummaly Sayasone, general secretary of the Central Committee of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (PRP) and the Lao president, in Vientiane, capital of Laos, Nov. 19, 2006. (Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery >>>

    VIENTIANE, Nov. 19 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Hu Jintao made a five-point proposal here Sunday for the further development of Sino-Lao relations.

    Hu, also general secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), made the proposal in his talks with Choummaly Sayasone, general secretary of the Central Committee of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (PRP) and Lao president.

    The first is to maintain high-level annual meeting mechanism to discuss issues of common concern.

    The second is to strengthen exchanges of governing experiences so as to learn from each other.

    The third is to expand economic and trade cooperation, and the Chinese side will encourage more Chinese investment in the Laos and continue to provide aid to the Laos within its capability.

    The fourth is to strengthen cooperation in safeguarding security along their borders and fighting against cross-border crimes, and promote youth exchanges and cooperation in education, healthy and tourism.

    The fifth is to enhance mutual support in international and regional affairs and conduct timely coordination on major international and regional issues.

    Agreeing with Hu, Choummaly said the Lao side will work with the Chinese side to implement the proposal and hoped that the two countries will strengthen cooperation in economy, trade, investment, power, mining, infrastructure construction and tourism.

    During the talks, Hu and Choummaly spoke highly of the development of bilateral relations that are based on the principles of long-term stability, good neighborly friendship, mutual trust and all-round cooperation.

    Hu said to strengthen bilateral traditional friendship and overall cooperation is in the fundamental interest of the two peoples and conducive to peace, stability and prosperity in the region.

    He said the Chinese side attaches great importance to bilateral relations and will be good neighbors, friends, comrades and partners of the Laos forever.

    He expressed his appreciation for the Laos' consistent and firm support for China on such issues as Taiwan, Tibet and human rights.

    Choummaly said no matter what changes take place in the international situations, the Laos will firmly develop comprehensive cooperation with China, which conforms to the fundamental interest of the two countries and their peoples.

    He said the Laos abides by the one-China policy, opposes "Taiwan independence" secessionist activities of any form and supports China's reunification.

    After the talks, Hu and Choummaly attended a signing ceremony for bilateral cooperative documents covering economic and technological cooperation, health, power and E-government, as well as a ceremony marking the inauguration of an FM radio station of the China Radio International in Vientiane.

    Hu arrived here earlier Sunday afternoon from Vietnam where he concluded a state visit and attended the 14th APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation) Economic Leaders' Meeting from Nov. 17 to 19in Hanoi, capital of Vietnam.

    The Laos is the second leg of Hu's four-nation tour, which will also take him to India and Pakistan.