On the afternoon of November 28, 2016, Premier Li Keqiang held talks with Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith of Laos, who was on an official visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People.

Li Keqiang said that China and Laos are friendly neighbors that always trust and support each other. Bilateral relations have been constantly deepened and pragmatic cooperation has achieved steady progress. Both sides conduct sound communication and coordination in international and regional affairs. China will continue to uphold friendly policies towards Laos and firmly support Laos to follow a development path suitable to its national conditions. China is ready to strengthen solidarity and cooperation with Laos to promote common development and safeguard regional peace, stability and prosperity.

Li Keqiang pointed out that China is willing to further integrate development plans and strategies with Laos to push cooperation in key areas for new progress. Both countries should give play to the leading role of major projects in areas such as railway, economic cooperation zone and comprehensive development zone and advance cooperation in production capacity and investment. China and Laos should strengthen cooperation and share experiences in such areas as agriculture, deep processing of agricultural products and poverty-reduction. Both sides should reinforce cooperation in finance, national defense, security and other areas, and enhance exchanges in people-to-people and cultural engagement and other aspects.

Li Keqiang noted that this year marks the 25th anniversary of the establishment of China-ASEAN dialogue relations. Holding the ASEAN presidency this year, Laos has successfully hosted the series of leaders' meetings on East Asia cooperation, playing a positive role in advancing China-ASEAN relations. Next year will mark the 50th anniversary of the ASEAN. China firmly supports the construction of the ASEAN Community and the ASEAN's central role in regional cooperation. China will actively support and participate in relevant commemorative events of the ASEAN. It is hoped that Laos will continue to make unremitting efforts for the steady and healthy development of China-ASEAN relations.

Thongloun Sisoulith expressed that China is a sincere friend and brother of Laos. With frequent high-level exchanges and satisfactory progress from pragmatic cooperation, Laos-China relations are developing very well at present. Laos is willing to take the 55th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral diplomatic relations as an opportunity to actively integrate development strategies and deepen cooperation in infrastructure, finance, agriculture, development zone construction and other areas with China. The Laos-China railway is of great importance to Laos, and Laos will spare no efforts in promoting cooperation in relevant projects. Laos is willing to continually make efforts in boosting the development of ASEAN-China relations.

Before the talks, Li Keqiang held a welcoming ceremony for Thongloun Sisoulith at the North Hall of the Great Hall of the People. Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference Wang Zhengwei and others were present.

After the talks, Premier Li Keqiang and Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith witnessed the signing of cooperation agreements on economy, trade and other fields

On the same afternoon, Thongloun Sisoulith went to the Tiananmen Square and laid a wreath at the Monument to the People's Heroes.