Stories from Laos

During the visit, General Secretary Tô Lâm was awarded the Second-Class Labor Order for taking on new responsibilities.

Sole, a new credit company, has been launched in Laos to provide financial support to small and medium-sized enterprises and individuals. The company aims to increase access to capital and offer comprehensive support. The company's launch is intended to increase access to capital and foster growth within the Lao economy.

A Chinese Film Week is being held in Laos to celebrate the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Laos. China is conducting a film exchange program in Laos featuring an open-air cinema project. The initiative has completed over 100 screenings across all provinces of Laos, including rural schools and remote areas. The program has reached an estimated 500,000 people over the last decade. The project includes screenings with Lao-language dubbing to enhance cultural exchange. One featured film, "The Brave," tells a story of resilience against illness and received emotional feedback from local Lao viewers.

The China-Laos Railway has significantly increased tourism in Luang Prabang, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Workers are using stone-bagging and metal mesh reinforcement to protect bridge piers from water erosion before the rainy season begins. These efforts aim to ensure the reliability of freight and passenger transport across the network. The project aims to provide temporary protection and long-term stability for the rail infrastructure. This maintenance follows a period of rapid growth for the region, with Vang Vieng seeing nearly 1 million tourists in 2024 due to improved connectivity. The railway and associated highways have significantly transformed the local economy and accessibility. This extensive maintenance program is for ensuring the operational efficiency and safety of the railway.

President Xi Jinping emphasized the importance of China-Laos relations, viewing Laos as a key direction in China's peripheral diplomacy. A handover ceremony for Chinese humanitarian aid took place in Ulaanbaatar on May 4th. China delivered humanitarian aid, including winter clothing, blankets, mattresses, and educational toys, to Mongolia on May 4th. The aid was funded by donations from the Chinese people to UNICEF and transported by the Red Cross Society of China. It will be distributed to 2,000 Mongolian children in need through the Mongolian Red Cross. China handed over humanitarian aid in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, on April 4th. The donations were funded by Chinese citizens through the United Nations Children's Fund and distributed by the Red Cross Society of China via the Mongolian Red Cross to 2,000 children.