On September 9, 2009, Wen Jiabao, Member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Premier of the State Council, met in Ziguangge, Zhongnanhai, with Choummaly Saygnasone, General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party and Lao President.
Wen said China and Laos, both facing tough tasks of developing their economies and improving their people's livelihood, are friendly neighbors and intimate partners. "China is willing to strengthen cooperation with Laos, help each other and jointly tackle challenges," Wen said. He hoped the two sides could well implement the agreed major infrastructure projects, strengthen personnel and information exchanges, and expand economic and trade cooperation.
Choummaly expressed congratulations on the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. He also praised China's efforts in maintaining economic development against the backdrop of the global financial crisis, and lauded China's contributions to the recovery of the global economy. He said he was satisfied with the in-depth, stable and all-around development of the two sides' mutually beneficial cooperation, and expressed his willingness to push Laos-China cooperation to a new level.
Wang Jiarui, Minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, and other officials attended the meeting.