As friendly neighbors, Laos and China share a traditional friendship with sincerity and mutual support, Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone said.
In an interview with China Central Television (CCTV), Sonexay highlighted the significance of China-Laos ties by referring to China's contribution in the founding of his country.
"Speaking of Laos-China relations, we are very pleased to see that as a major political and economic power, China is not only a neighbor to Laos, but also a partner who shares the same socialist ideals with Laos. On this basis, the two parties, the two governments and the two peoples enjoy a beautiful traditional friendship. For example, during Laos' war for national salvation, the brotherly Communist Party of China, the Chinese government and the Chinese people gave sincere support to the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, the Lao government and the Lao people without asking for anything in return, helping Laos achieve victory in its revolutionary cause and found today's Lao People's Democratic Republic," Siphandone noted.
Then he talked about his understanding on building a community with a shared future between the two nations.
"Laos and China are not only neighbors, but also long-term stable friendly partners who adhere to the spirit of good neighbors, good friends, good comrades and good partners. The concept of a community with a shared future for Laos and China fits in with the Global Development Initiative proposed by China. President Xi Jinping has pointed out a new direction for cooperation between the two countries, especially in jointly building the Belt and Road Initiative. For now, Laos has been actively conducting policy communication with China, and building a community with a shared future between Laos and China so as to take Laos-China relations to a new level," the prime minister said.
Laos, China enjoy traditional friendship with sincerity, mutual support: Lao PM
Laos, China enjoy traditional friendship with sincerity, mutual support: Lao PM
Laos, China enjoy traditional friendship with sincerity, mutual support: Lao PM
The Syrian government and people have roundly welcomed U.S. President Donald Trump's announcement to lift all sanctions against Syria, with many believing it will give a major boost to the conflict-ravaged country's recovery from years of civil war.
Trump announced during his visit to Saudi Arabia on Tuesday that he would remove the long-standing sanctions on Syria, with the Syrian foreign ministry welcoming the move as a "pivotal turning point for the Syrian people".
Another significant moment came on Wednesday when Trump held a face-to-face meeting with Syrian interim leader Ahmed al-Sharaa in the Saudi capital Riyadh -- marking the first encounter between a U.S. president and a Syrian leader in decades -- with the two discussing the normalization of bilateral ties.
Prior to Trump's announcement, the Syrian foreign ministry noted that the long-imposed sanctions, which originally applied to the former government, were still having a direct impact on the Syrian people and had hindered efforts to facilitate the country's post-war recovery and reconstruction.
The news of the removal of all U.S. punitive measures was immediately met with an outpouring of joy in Syria, with large crowds taking to the streets of Damascus and elsewhere in the country to celebrate.
The Syrian pound also reportedly gained in value following Trump's decision.
Ziad Arabsh, an economic consultant for the Syrian government, said the U.S. move has now cleared a major obstacle to Syria's economic recovery and post-war reconstruction efforts.
"The access of Syria to the world technology is extremely vital to rebuild the long years [of] destroyed infrastructure, and this will lead to the economy [being boosted] and help Syria in [its] reconstruction instead of sliding into fragmentation," Arabsh said in an interview with the China Global Television Network (CGTN) in Damascus.
Trump's surprise announcement came on the first day of his four-day whirlwind tour across the Middle East, which has seen him visit Saudi Arabia and Qatar before he is expected to conclude the trip in the United Arab Emirates.
Trump's remarks about the sanctions relief and his meeting with al-Sharaa came at a time when the new leadership in Damascus is striving to rally international support for the country to cope with extreme challenges after over a decade of conflict and economic hardship.
Syrians welcome Trump's announcement to lift all sanctions
