China and Laos signed a series of agreements yesterday to enhance bilateral ties including one granting the Southeast Asian nation non-reimbursable assistance and interest-free loans and another on food safety partnership.
Premier Wen Jiabao and visiting Laotian Prime Minister Bouasone Bouphavanh witnessed the signing of the agreements after one-hour closed-door talks in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.
During the talks, Wen said China is keen to further strengthen the comprehensive partnership with Laos to upgrade bilateral relations.
"The two countries should focus on cooperation in agriculture, infrastructure and energy to promote the steady development of bilateral economic and trade relations," he said.
Meantime, educational exchanges and human resources training should be expanded, Wen added.
He also expressed the hope that the two neighbors work together to promote the Greater Mekong regional cooperation and jointly combat cross-border crime.
Responding to his host, Bouasone said his country is eager to intensify cooperation in economy and trade, science and technology and culture for the overall development of Sino-Laotian relations.
Bouasone arrived on Wednesday for a six-day official visit.
Before leaving for China, Bouasone told Xinhua News Agency that creating a better investment environment is one of Laos' important economic policies.
China currently allows more than 300 Laos products to be imported tax-free under the existing free trade agreement between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
Source: China Daily
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