Premier Li Keqiang called for further cooperation with Laos in key areas, including capacity, investment and agriculture, during the meeting with his Lao counterpart, Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith, in Beijing on Nov 28.

Premier Li said China and Laos are traditional friends with continuous mutual trust, cooperation and coordination in regional affairs. China will continue to be a friend to Laos, support its development and promote cooperation in fields such as poverty alleviation, finance and military.

He hoped that both sides can align strategies by promoting big projects on railway construction and economic cooperative zones.

Laos has the rotating presidency of ASEAN in 2016, also the 25th anniversary of the founding of China-ASEAN ties. Laos hosted the leaders meetings on East Asia cooperation.

The Premier praised Laos for its positive impact on China-ASEAN ties and expressed support for ASEAN’s development and its significant role in Southeast Asia cooperation.

Next year will mark the 50th anniversary of ASEAN. Premier Li said China will actively support and participate in the celebration ceremonies.

Thongloun said that China and Laos enjoy a brotherly friendship, and satisfactory progress has been made in bilateral pragmatic cooperation with frequent high-level exchanges. Laos wishes to take the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Laos as an opportunity to actively align development strategies of both sides, deepen cooperation in infrastructure, finance, agriculture and development zone construction, Thongloun added.

The China-Laos railway is of great importance for the development of Laos, Thongloun said. The Lao government will make efforts to promote bilateral cooperation in related projects. Laos is ready to continue to advance the development of ASEAN-China relations, he added.

After the meeting, both leaders witnessed the signing of a number of cooperation documents.

Before the meeting, Thongloun laid a wreath to the Monument to the People’s Heroes at the Tian’anmen Square.