VIENTIANE, Aug. 23 (Xinhua) -- China's state news agency's contribution to news coverage in Laos has been recognized here with conferral of a friendship medal upon chief correspondent of Xinhua News Agency's Vientiane Bureau.
Lao Minister for Information, Culture and Tourism Bosengkham Vongdara presented the medal to Xinhua News Agency's Rong Zhongxia Monday evening, who is soon to complete his term of service to international news coverage in the the Southeast Asian nation.
The citation issued by Prime Ministerial Decree 2016/168 recognized Rong for service to duties in Laos requiring wisdom, hard work and sweat, including fostering cooperation between Xinhua as China's state news agency and its Lao counterpart Laotian state news agency KPL, whose ongoing relationship and timely information-sharing has made important contributions to strengthening of friendships and fostering of deeper understanding of Laos in China and elsewhere abroad.
Head of Lao State News Agency KPL Sounthone Khanthavong paid tribute to Xinhua's efforts to inform people in China and world about Laos' various achievements and ongoing developments witnessed over four decades as the country celebrated the 40th anniversary of its establishment as a People's Democratic Republic at the end of 2015.
He also hailed the positive contribution to strengthened bonds of fraternity between the country's respective ruling parties, governments and people to achieve further deepening of traditional friendships which had been made possible through these efforts.
China-Lao bilateral friendly and cooperative relations had witnessed rapid development and broad space for increased cooperation between the two countries remained, Rong said in accepting the citation.
Expressing thanks and humility in accepting the prestigious award, he paid tribute to Laos as a country of blue skies, clear waters and friendly people and said he is willing to promote the country and its people's prosperity no matter where he went in the future.
"Chinese who come to Laos can not but fall in love with the place," Rong said.
More than 200 people attended the ceremony including heads of relevant Lao government departments, news media and other agencies in Laos. The celebration also saw attendance from representatives of overseas Chinese, Chinese-funded institutions and enterprises and Chinese youth volunteer alumni.
