Guizhou, Laos' Luang Namtha establish friendly relations

Southwest China's Guizhou province and Laos' Luang Namtha Province signed a letter of intent to become friendly provinces on March 31. The agreement stipulates that both provinces will carry out more exchanges and cooperation in agricultural technology training, talent cultivation and language learning.

China is Laos' largest investment source, largest export market and second-largest trade partner, while Laos is one of the most active participants in the Belt and Road Initiative and an emerging land for investment.

Li Zhigong, consul general of the Chinese Consulate General in Luang Prabang, said that both Guizhou and Luang Namtha are in inland areas and have a similar geographic location and natural environment.

Currently, Guizhou's companies are participating in major projects such as the China-Laos Railway in Luang Namtha. The two provinces will have more scope and potential for cooperation once the railway starts operating.

Luang Namtha wishes to take Guizhou's rich economic development and poverty-alleviation as a reference and welcomes more Guizhou companies to start businesses in the province.

In recent years, Guizhou and Luang Namtha have carried out education cooperation relying on China-ASEAN Education Cooperation Week. Meanwhile, Guizhou's universities and vocational colleges such as Guizhou University, Zunyi Normal University and Tongren Polytechnic College have established a cooperative relationship with Luang Namtha's education and sports department.