Action Plan for Building a China-Laos Community with a Shared Future (2024-2028) (Full Text)

Part One: Preface

China and Laos share the same mountains and rivers, and are socialist friendly neighbors whose destinies are intertwined. In April 2019, the top leaders of the two parties and two countries signed the "Action Plan of the Communist Party of China and the Lao People's Revolutionary Party on Building a China-Laos Community with a Shared Future" (hereinafter referred to as the "Action Plan"), which identified five actions for the next five years: strategic communication and mutual trust, pragmatic cooperation and connectivity, political security and stability, people-to-people exchanges and tourism, and green and sustainable development, opening a new chapter in the construction of the China-Laos Community with a Shared Future.

In the past five years, under the strategic guidance of the top leaders of the two parties and two countries, both sides have worked together for development with mutual trust and cooperation, and have overcome challenges with sincere assistance, fully implementing the spirit of a community with a shared future. In the face of the global pandemic, both sides supported each other and overcame difficulties together, safeguarding the lives and health of the people of both countries with practical actions. In response to the common aspirations of the people of both countries, both sides have worked together and side-by-side to create a new pattern of high-quality cooperation between the two countries, especially building the China-Laos Railway into a road of happiness, development, and friendship for the people of China and Laos, bringing great benefits to both countries and their peoples. In the face of a complex international environment, both sides have closely coordinated and cooperated with each other, firmly supporting each other on issues involving each other's core interests, setting an example for building a new type of international relations.

The practice of building a China-Laos Community with a Shared Future has proved that the destinies of mankind are intertwined, and the interests of all countries are closely linked. Building a community with a shared future for mankind is the future of the people of all countries in the world. The world today is full of changes and uncertainties, and the changes of the century are accelerating, posing unprecedented challenges to human society. In the face of changes in the world, times, and history, both sides agree that we should uphold cooperation and not confrontation, openness and not closure, mutual benefit and win-win results and not zero-sum games, resolutely oppose all forms of hegemonism and power politics, oppose "new Cold War", oppose interference in internal affairs, oppose double standards, and oppose the formation of camps and exclusive small circles targeting specific countries. Both sides are willing to work together to implement the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, and the Global Civilization Initiative, jointly promote the common values of all mankind of peace, development, equity, justice, democracy, and freedom, jointly explore the path of human modernization, and continuously create a better future for mankind.

In order to plan the principles and direction of the development of relations between the two parties and two countries in the next stage and to promote the steady and far-reaching development of the China-Laos Community with a Shared Future, both sides agree to renew and implement a new five-year action plan, adhering to mutual respect and trust in politics, mutual benefit and win-win results in the economy, mutual support and assistance in security, mutual understanding and affinity in people-to-people exchanges, and symbiosis and governance in ecology, and work together to build a high-standard, high-quality, and high-level China-Laos Community with a Shared Future, and make positive efforts and demonstrations to build a community with a shared future for mankind.

Part Two: Cooperation in Various Fields

I. Political Field

Guided by the important consensus reached by the top leaders of the two parties and two countries, deepen political mutual trust, strengthen strategic communication, and strengthen coordination and cooperation in international and regional affairs, promoting greater development of China-Laos relations in the new era.

1. Give full play to the leading role of high-level exchanges, through bilateral visits, video calls, exchange of letters, and meetings on multilateral occasions, strengthen high-level exchanges between the two parties and two countries, especially strategic communication between top leaders, and timely exchange in-depth views on major issues of bilateral relations and the international and regional situation, firmly grasping the direction of China-Laos relations.  

2. Implement the 2021-2025 Party Cooperation Plan and formulate and implement the 2026-2030 Party Cooperation Plan. Plan and implement the counterpart exchanges and cooperation between the central committees of the two parties in the fields of comprehensive coordination, policy research, cadre organization, and public opinion publicity, and promote the expansion of exchanges and cooperation between local, grassroots, and mass organizations of the two parties. Continue to hold the two-party theoretical seminars, and conduct in-depth exchanges on a series of major theoretical and practical issues in socialist construction. Improve the quality of cadre training cooperation to provide a solid talent reserve for the long-term governance and development of the two parties. Utilize the training resources of Yunnan, Hunan, and Guangxi provinces (regions) to promote the in-depth development of cadre training cooperation between the two parties. Implement the "Cooperation Agreement between the International Liaison Department of the CPC Central Committee and the International Liaison Department of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party Central Committee" and the annual meeting mechanism between the ministers of the two party's international liaison departments, and promote coordination on matters related to exchanges and cooperation between the two parties.

3. Continue to strengthen exchanges and cooperation in the field of discipline inspection and supervision. Jointly promote clean governance in the "Belt and Road" initiative, and establish and improve a long-term mechanism for clean governance during the operation of the China-Laos Railway. Deepen law enforcement cooperation in anti-corruption fugitives and repatriation of stolen assets, and work together to combat cross-border corruption crimes. Strengthen communication and coordination within multilateral mechanisms such as the United Nations Convention Against Corruption and China-ASEAN, and jointly safeguard the interests of developing countries.

4. Deepen friendly exchanges and cooperation between the National People's Congress of China and the Lao National Assembly, and between the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and the Lao Front for National Construction Central Committee, maintain momentum for high-level mutual visits, and learn from each other's beneficial experiences.

5. Continue to implement the "Agreement between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of China and Laos on Strengthening Cooperation under the New Situation", maintain the regular exchange mechanism between the two ministries, strengthen communication and cooperation at all levels, and expand channels for training diplomatic personnel.

6. Continue to firmly support each other in upholding each other's core interests. China firmly supports Laos in safeguarding its national sovereignty, security, and development interests, and supports Laos in upholding Party leadership and following the socialist path. Laos firmly adheres to the one-China principle, recognizes that there is only one China in the world, and that the government of the People's Republic of China is the only legitimate government representing the whole of China, and that Taiwan is an inalienable part of Chinese territory. Oppose any words and deeds that harm China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, oppose any form of "Taiwan independence" separatist activities, oppose external forces interfering in China's internal affairs under any pretext, and support China's efforts to achieve national reunification.

7. Strengthen coordination and cooperation within regional mechanisms such as Lancang-Mekong Cooperation and China-ASEAN cooperation, practice open regionalism, promote the building of a closer Lancang-Mekong Community with a Shared Future, deepen the China-ASEAN comprehensive strategic partnership, and work together to build a peaceful, secure, prosperous, beautiful, and friendly "five homes".

8. Strengthen cooperation within the framework of the United Nations, maintain close communication and coordination on international and regional issues of common concern, adhere to and uphold true multilateralism, promote the democratization of international relations, jointly uphold international fairness and justice, and promote the development of global governance in a more just and reasonable direction.

9. Actively implement the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, and the Global Civilization Initiative, advocate the common values of all mankind, jointly address global challenges, promote regional security, stability, development, prosperity, and inclusiveness and harmony, and promote the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.

II. Economic Field

Strengthen strategic alignment, with the construction of the China-Laos Economic Corridor as the main axis, and major projects such as the China-Laos Railway and power grid as the backbone, comprehensively and deeply carry out pragmatic cooperation in various fields based on the principle of mutual benefit and win-win results, bringing tangible benefits to the people of both countries.

1. Following the principles of joint consultation, joint construction, and shared benefits, orderly promote the alignment of the Belt and Road Initiative with Laos' strategy of transforming from a landlocked country to a land-linked country, implement key projects and task lists for jointly building the Belt and Road, and promote the effectiveness of the cooperation planning outline for jointly building the Belt and Road. Laos actively supports and participates in the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation.

2. Steady implementation of the "Cooperation Framework on Jointly Building the China-Laos Economic Corridor (2019-2030)", making full use of the mechanism of the China-Laos Economic Corridor Cooperation Joint Committee, relying on the China-Laos Railway, and comprehensively promoting pragmatic cooperation between China and Laos in transportation, production capacity, agriculture, cultural tourism, and social livelihood. High-quality promotion of the operation, maintenance, and development along the China-Laos Railway, striving to achieve early connectivity between the China-Laos Railway and the Thai railway with standard gauge, and promoting the China-Laos-Thailand connectivity development concept. Continue to carry out production capacity and investment cooperation in accordance with the principle of "enterprise-led, market-oriented, commercially operated, and in line with international practices", coordinating the construction of the economic corridor, development along the China-Laos Railway, and production capacity cooperation, building cooperation platforms for enterprises and financial institutions of the two countries, and promoting the implementation of more pragmatic cooperation projects. Operate key projects such as the Sepon Integrated Development Zone well, steadily advance the construction of the Mohan-Boten Economic Cooperation Zone between China and Laos, and carry out pragmatic cross-border industrial cooperation. Actively expand pragmatic cooperation between China and Laos in emerging fields such as the digital economy and green development.

3. Make full use of the mechanisms of the China-Laos Economic and Trade and Technical Cooperation Committee, production capacity and investment cooperation, and the China-Laos Investment Cooperation Working Group, strengthen policy communication and experience exchange, comprehensively plan bilateral economic and trade cooperation, and promote healthy and sustainable development of China-Laos economic and trade relations. Jointly implement the zero-tariff arrangement for 98% of Laotian products exported to China.

4. Launch negotiations for a new "Five-Year Plan for China-Laos Economic and Trade Cooperation" in a timely manner, improve trade infrastructure, strengthen port construction, actively explore innovative management and inspection models for China-Laos ports, promote convenient customs clearance, and promote economic and trade development cooperation and personnel exchanges in border areas. Deepen customs inspection and quarantine cooperation, accelerate the progress of sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) consultations, provide convenience for more Laotian goods to be exported to China, and continuously improve the supervision and service level of passenger and freight transportation on the China-Laos Railway. Promote e-commerce cooperation and expand bilateral trade between China and Laos. China is willing to actively promote agricultural product trade between the two countries, support Laos in participating in the China International Import Expo, and continuously expand exports of high-quality Laotian agricultural and food products to China. Guide and encourage enterprises of both sides to invest and start businesses in each other's countries, improve the business environment, provide cooperation convenience, and promote the healthy development of bilateral investment cooperation.

5. Actively carry out the work of negotiating the protocol to the China-Laos International Road Transport Agreement and promote the implementation of bilateral international road transport cooperation. Orderly advance the construction of logistics infrastructure in the China-Laos Economic Corridor, promote the stable operation of international freight trains on the China-Laos Railway, and ensure the safety and smooth flow of the China-Laos logistics transportation channel. Operate the Vientiane-Vang Vieng Expressway well and promote the implementation of the remaining section of the China-Laos (Boten-Vientiane) Expressway project.

6. Promote extensive exchanges in the field of information and communications, and actively promote pragmatic cooperation between enterprises of the two countries in areas such as new communication infrastructure and cross-border optical cables. Deepen cooperation between the radio regulatory authorities of China and Laos, and further ensure the safe use of radio frequencies on the China-Laos Railway. Give full play to the advantages of the "Laos-1" communication satellite, focus on cultivating Laotian satellite control and satellite application talents, and use China's aerospace technology to help Laos' national economic and social development and improve people's livelihood. Explore the establishment of a Laotian national satellite application center, build a satellite remote sensing application cooperation platform, and promote cooperation in surveying and mapping geographic information technology between China and Laos, including helping to establish and improve databases in Laos in agriculture, land, forestry, and minerals. Promote the application of aerospace technologies, including satellite communication, remote sensing, and navigation, to promote Laos' economic and technological progress. China will help Laos cultivate scientific and technological personnel, improve their scientific research capabilities and levels, and promote the application of scientific and technological achievements in Laos' national development.

7. Deepen the strategic partnership for China-Laos power cooperation, accelerate the promotion of China-Laos power interconnection, and strengthen the exchange of power policies and plans. Support enterprises to accelerate the implementation of China-Laos power interconnection projects in accordance with commercial principles, enhance the interconnection of the two countries' power grids, and increase the scale of power mutual assistance. Support the cooperation between the two sides' enterprises in operating the Lao National Power Transmission Company (EDL-T) well, share experience in power development, promote the sustainable development of Laos' power grid, cooperate to promote the development and transmission of clean energy in Laos, cooperate to improve the level of stable power supply guarantee for the Laos section of the China-Laos Railway, cooperate to carry out power grid interconnection between Laos and neighboring countries, and create a model of all-round power cooperation in the Lancang-Mekong region.

8. Deepen bilateral local currency cooperation, further promote the facilitation of bilateral trade and investment, and create a good policy environment for bilateral local currency settlement. China will provide financial and fiscal reform intellectual support to Laos to the best of its ability.

9. Strengthen experience exchange and cooperation in poverty reduction and rural revitalization, strengthen experience exchange through platforms such as China-ASEAN, ASEAN-China-Japan-Korea, and Lancang-Mekong cooperation, actively promote the launch and implementation of the East Asia Poverty Reduction Demonstration Cooperation Phase II project, and support Laos' capacity building in the field of poverty reduction. Fully implement the eight major aid projects to Laos, continuously carry out a series of livelihood projects such as East Asia poverty reduction demonstration and rural poverty alleviation facility construction, support the improvement of people's livelihood in northern Laos, benefit more local people, and jointly promote the positive achievements of the Global Development Initiative in Laos. Promote the implementation of the Railway Vocational and Technical College and other ten schools and education projects aided to Laos. Give full play to the role of hospitals aided to Laos and innovatively carry out hospital management cooperation. Promote the construction of more vocational schools that meet the development needs of Laos.

10. Further deepen cooperation in the field of agriculture and rural areas, improve the working mechanism, and continuously carry out cooperation in areas such as crop planting, livestock and poultry and aquaculture, agricultural product quality and safety, agricultural product processing, warehousing and logistics, digital technology application, rural e-commerce, and rural industrial development, continuously improve the quality of agricultural personnel, and promote sustainable agricultural development and agricultural and rural modernization. Strengthen agricultural economic and trade investment cooperation.

11. Strengthen exchange and cooperation between small and medium-sized enterprises. Strengthen exchanges between the two sides on policies and measures to promote the development of small and medium-sized enterprises, promote exchanges and cooperation in key areas such as technological innovation, trade and investment, and industrial docking, and China will support Lao enterprises in participating in the China International Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Expo.

12. China encourages relevant provinces (autonomous regions and municipalities) to give full play to their own locational and resource advantages and form a good situation of mutual benefit and mutual assistance in cooperation with Laos. Relying on platforms and mechanisms such as Lancang-Mekong cooperation, the China-ASEAN Expo, and the China Yunnan-Laos Northern Cooperation Working Group, we will strive to build Yunnan, Hunan, Guangxi, Guangdong and other provinces (autonomous regions) into highlands for cooperation with Laos.

13. Further deepen coordination and cooperation within regional mechanisms such as China-ASEAN (10+1) cooperation, ASEAN-China-Japan-Korea (10+3) cooperation, Lancang-Mekong cooperation, and the East Asia Summit, as well as within the framework of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank. Strengthen policy coordination and jointly implement the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and relevant agreements of the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area with high quality. Actively promote the early achievement of results in the negotiations for the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area 3.0 version, do a good job in the subsequent entry into force and implementation of the agreement, and promote regional economic integration.

III. Security Field

Strengthen communication and cooperation, deepen cooperation between China and Laos in defense, law enforcement, and political security, and effectively safeguard the security, stability, and development interests of both countries.

1. Deepen bilateral cooperation in preventing and resisting "color revolutions", expand cooperation content, enrich exchange forms, and strengthen pragmatic cooperation in areas such as theoretical research, experience sharing, intelligence exchange, and case investigation, resolutely preventing and responding to the threat of "color revolutions". Promote in-depth and practical cooperation in political security, counter-terrorism, overseas interests protection, and combating transnational crime, effectively safeguarding the common interests of the two countries. China will continue to help Laos improve its ability to maintain domestic stability and respond to external infiltration, jointly maintain each other's security and stability, and prevent external forces from interfering.

2. Further deepen military cooperation. Maintain high-level military leadership meetings and strengthen strategic communication. Make good use of the mechanism of the military cooperation coordination committee meetings to coordinate and manage exchanges and cooperation in various fields between the two militaries. Deepen pragmatic exchanges in the political work field of the two militaries, expand joint military exercises and training, and negotiate and sign a logistics support agreement. Hold border defense friendly exchange activities and jointly maintain border security and stability. Focus on the construction of key projects such as the Lao Air Force Flight School, the Tropical Infectious Disease Prevention and Control Laboratory, and military surveying and navigation, and continue to carry out cooperation in areas such as college exchanges, talent cultivation, mutual visits by young and middle-aged officers, and academic research.

3. Strengthen law enforcement and security cooperation between the two countries. Continue to cooperate in combating cross-border crime, combating all forms of human trafficking, telecom network fraud, illegal border crossings, Mekong River joint law enforcement, and security for "Belt and Road" cooperation projects. Support the construction and operation of the China-Laos police cooperation center, and establish and strengthen regular meetings between central and local police. Deepen counter-terrorism cooperation, strengthen the exchange of intelligence information, investigation of cases, and coordination of actions in combating international terrorist organizations, exchange experiences, and share best practices and capacity-building measures. China supports Laos in its railway security work and jointly maintains the safe operation of the China-Laos railway. China will strengthen assistance and training for Laos in law enforcement and security, and jointly build a "safe city" with Laos.

4. Increase protection of the lives and property of citizens of the other country working and living in their own country, and the safety of major cooperation projects between the two sides.

5. Strengthen cooperation in the field of immigration and border control. Continue and improve the three-level representative contact mechanism on the China-Laos border, strengthen efforts to combat illegal entry, illegal residence, and illegal employment, and deepen cooperation in border control, entry-exit border inspection, repatriation of illegal immigrants, and management of foreigners.

6. Strengthen coordination and cooperation in regional multilateral security dialogue cooperation mechanisms such as the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Transnational Crime and the ASEAN Regional Forum.

IV. People-to-People and Cultural Exchanges

Deepen people-to-people and cultural exchanges and cooperation, continue traditional friendship, consolidate the social and public opinion foundation of China-Laos friendship, and promote closer and better China-Laos relations.

1. Deepen people-to-people and cultural exchanges and cooperation, promote the establishment and development of more friendly city relationships between localities of the two countries, especially border areas, and consolidate the social and public opinion foundation of China-Laos friendship. Through bilateral and multilateral mechanisms, maintain and strengthen exchanges between friendly organizations and personnel of both sides, enrich the content of exchanges, build consensus on friendship, and enhance mutual understanding and empathy between the Chinese and Lao people.

2. Strengthen friendly exchanges and cooperation among mass organizations (trade unions, youth, women), enterprises, and central and local industry associations. Deepen exchanges between young people and children of the two countries, successfully hold the China-Laos Railway Youth Friendship Project, and jointly cultivate successors to China-Laos friendship.

3. Strengthen policy dialogue and communication in education, and expand exchanges and cooperation between the two sides in the field of education. China welcomes outstanding Lao students to study in China. Carry out cooperation in vocational education, serving the construction of major China-Laos projects. Strengthen cooperation in Chinese and Lao language and cultural teaching to promote cultural exchanges. Promote the digital transformation of education and promote the joint construction and sharing of digital resources. Deepen cooperation between universities and think tanks of both sides. Further strengthen cooperation in human resource development. China is willing to provide, according to Laos' needs, training quotas and on-the-job higher education degree quotas in both bilateral and multilateral programs.

4. Strengthen exchanges and cooperation in the field of health, and carry out exchanges and cooperation in medical services, traditional medicine, and the prevention and control of tropical diseases and other infectious diseases. Encourage more medical institutions from both sides to join the China-ASEAN Hospital Cooperation Alliance, utilize alliance resources, and promote the improvement of the management systems and capabilities of medical institutions on both sides. China supports the capacity building of the Laos Tropical Disease Prevention and Control Joint Laboratory, and jointly helps improve the capacity for tropical disease prevention and control in the Lancang-Mekong region. Continue to carry out international public welfare activities such as "Bright Journey" cataract restoration in Laos, and jointly safeguard the health of the people of both countries.

5. Actively carry out cultural and tourism exchanges and cooperation. Promote the signing of a new phase of the cultural and tourism cooperation implementation plan. Promote exchanges of personnel at all levels between the two countries, and support cultural and tourism institutions in carrying out exchanges and cooperation. Actively participate in major cultural and tourism events held in each other's countries, and China will provide convenience for Laos to carry out tourism promotion in China. Focusing on the China-Laos Railway, support the development of high-quality cultural and tourism routes and products, and promote brand building and marketing promotion. Strengthen human resource development and jointly plan various training programs. Laos supports the operation of Chinese cultural institutions in Laos, such as the Chinese Cultural Center.

6. Consolidate and enhance exchanges and cooperation in the field of work for retired military personnel, and further promote the sharing of policies and regulations and the exchange of work experience between the two sides in the management and services for retired military personnel, pensions and preferential treatment, employment training, entrepreneurial support, social integration, and commendation and commemoration. Jointly maintain the repair and maintenance of the martyrs' cemetery in Laos, and give full play to its role in promoting the traditional friendly relations between China and Laos.

7. Deepen exchanges and cooperation in the fields of news, film and television, and publishing. Make good use of bilateral and multilateral media exchange and cooperation mechanisms to carry out joint interviews, joint production, personnel exchanges and training, etc. China will introduce film production and distribution experience to Laos. Deepen the mutual translation and publication of classic works between China and Laos, and promote the establishment of a normalized cooperation mechanism between publishing institutions of the two countries in content production, translation and publication, and distribution and promotion.

V. Ecological Cooperation

Promote all-round cooperation in the field of ecological environment, advocate green, low-carbon and circular development, jointly plan ecological civilization construction, and promote the well-being of the people of both countries through ecological environment cooperation.

1. Deepen cooperation in the field of ecological environment, strengthen exchanges and discussions on ecological environmental concepts and regulations and standards, and China supports Laos' capacity building in areas such as climate change, pollution control, environmental management, and ecological protection. Further support the construction of the China-Laos South-South Cooperation Low-Carbon Demonstration Zone for Climate Change Response, and give full play to the demonstration role of the demonstration zone in responding to climate change and promoting green and low-carbon development.

2. Strengthen cooperation in the field of water resources under bilateral and Lancang-Mekong cooperation mechanisms, promote the renewal of inter-departmental memorandums of understanding on water resources cooperation, and carry out cooperation in areas such as water resource development and utilization, hydrological information, disaster prevention and mitigation, capacity building, and personnel training, jointly improving the level of intensive and safe utilization of water resources.

3. China will use aerospace technology to assist Laos in agricultural and forestry resource planning, water resource management, environmental protection, and flood disaster prevention and mitigation.

4. Make good use of platforms such as China-ASEAN, Lancang-Mekong, and the "Belt and Road" Green Development International Alliance to promote activities such as environmental policy dialogue and technical cooperation between the two sides, and conduct communication and coordination on regional and global environmental issues of common concern to both sides.

5. Actively carry out cooperation in the protection of wild animals and plants, especially medicinal plants, and strengthen communication and consultation on positions in multilateral forums such as intergovernmental agreements and international conventions.

Part III Implementation Mechanism

Relevant departments and localities of both China and Laos, according to the actual situation, will elaborate on the implementation of the contents related to their respective units in this Action Plan. Both sides will be led by the International Liaison Department of the two parties as the leading departments for the implementation of the Action Plan, responsible for communication and coordination, supervision and implementation, summary and evaluation, and external publicity. Any problems encountered during the implementation process should be resolved through friendly consultations.

This Action Plan was signed in Beijing on October 20, 2023. 〇 There are two copies, each in Chinese and Lao, both equally authentic. This Action Plan is valid for five years, starting from 〇 Effective January 1, 2024. After expiration, both parties will consider signing a new action plan. 。

Communist Party of China             Lao People's Revolutionary Party

General Secretary of the Central Committee     General Secretary of the Central Committee

Xi Jinping                     Thongloun Sisoulith