A handover ceremony was held on Friday for the upgrading and renovation project of Luang Prabang hospital aided by China in the north of Laos.
As one of the important achievements of deepening friendly cooperation between China and Laos, the hospital will be put into use after the ceremony.
Chinese Ambassador to Laos Fang Hong said at the ceremony that the hospital after upgrading and renovation helps further improve local medical infrastructure and treatment capacity, thus providing quality medical care to local people.
Lao Minister of Health Bounfeng Phoummalaysith said the project demonstrates China's strong support for the livelihood projects in Laos.
"The upgrading and renovation project of Luang Prabang hospital aided by China in Laos has improved the professional medical level of the hospital. From the visit just now, I can see that the aid equipment [from China] is very advanced," he said.
Luang Prabang hospital was built with Chinese assistance at the beginning of this century, and the project includes the construction of new buildings for the departments of surgery and cardiovascular, and maintenance and renovation of previously Chinese-assisted buildings.
After the project handover, China will carry out three-year technical assistance, aiming to build the hospital into a central hospital in northern Laos and improve local people's livelihood.
"China has provided a lot of advanced equipment, which will greatly improve the medical level of Luang Prabang hospital, and provide better services for the people of Luang Prabang and the neighboring provinces," said Phouvana Anoulakkam, director of the hospital.
China-aided hospital upgrading project handed over in north Laos
A symposium focused on stability, development and ethnic unity of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region was held in Muscat, the capital and largest city of Oman, on Sunday, showcasing China's achievements in human rights protection and improvement of people's livelihoods in the multi-ethnic autonomous region.
Organized by China's State Council Information Office, the event offered a platform for people in the west Asian country to gain insights into Xinjiang and foster exchanges between the two countries.
Lyu Jian, China's ambassador to Oman, said at the event that China and Oman share similar civilizational vision and should strengthen exchanges and cooperation.
Chinese attendees introduced Xinjiang's progress in economic and social development, cultural and religious affairs, education, and ethnic unity.
"Xinjiang has always been home to multiple religions. This event deepens understanding of the Communist Party of China's policies on governing Xinjiang in the new era and helps build consensus on the issue among walks of life in Oman," said Yimure Wusman, a religious figure from Xinjiang.
"Scholars, officials and religious figures from both countries had candid discussions at the event. The two countries can learn from each other's experience in human rights protection, religious affairs management, and other areas," said Xing Guangcheng, director of the Institute of Chinese Borderland Studies under the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.
Omani participants said that different ethnic groups in Xinjiang live in harmony, contributing to China's economic growth.
They also added that the Chinese government has been dedicating to protecting the rights of ethnic groups while some Western countries apply double standards on the issue of human rights.
"This event will undoubtedly strengthen Oman-China relations. The two countries have extensive common interests and a bright future for cooperation. Their rich histories and cultures complement each other's progress. Meetings like this will further advance bilateral ties" said Mohammed bin Mubarak Al Arimi, chairman of the Oman Journalists Association.
Symposium on Xinjiang's development, ethnic unity held in Oman