Secretary General of the ASEAN-China Centre Calls on Ambassador of Laos to China

 On July 31, 2026, Ambassador Zhang Lizhong, Secretary General of the ASEAN-China Centre (ACC), called on Somphone Sichaleune, Ambassador of Laos to China.

Zhang Lizhong noted that this year marks the fifth anniversary of the establishment of the ASEAN-China Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. The two sides have achieved fruitful outcomes in cooperation across various fields, and enjoy broad prospects for future cooperation. This year also marks the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Laos and China, and the Year of China-Laos Friendship. During President Thongloun Sisoulith’s visit to China in June, leaders of the two countries reached important consensus on jointly building an all-weather China-Laos community with a shared future in the new era, injecting strong impetus into cooperation in various fields between the two sides. The ACC will organize a visit to the China-Laos Railway for ASEAN ambassadors to China to learn firsthand about the important role the railway has played in promoting cooperation between Laos and China, and between ASEAN and China, in areas such as trade, culture and tourism. He also thanked Ambassador Somphone for his active support and participation in the ACC’s work, adding that the ACC will continue to build more and better platforms to promote mutual understanding and friendly cooperation between Laos and China, as well as between ASEAN and China.

Somphone Sichaleune congratulated Secretary General Zhang on assuming his new position. He stated that the activities organized by the ACC, including the ASEAN Ambassadors’ Visit to Xizang, had left a deep impression on him. The development of Xizang serves as a vivid example of Chinese modernization. He noted that the century-long journey of the Communist Party of China and the Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era have provided valuable experience and example for developing countries, including Laos. Ambassador Somphone Sichaleune expressed his strong support for the work of Secretary General Zhang and the ACC, and said that Laos stands ready to further strengthen cooperation with the ACC in areas such as people-to-people exchanges, tourism, and economic and trade cooperation to continuously enhance mutual understanding between the peoples of Laos and China, as well as economic and trade ties between the two countries.