Deepening and Expanding Practical Cooperation in Energy and Power Industry

Jointly Building a China-Laos Community with a Shared Future

A Lao delegation led by Sinlavong Khoutphaythoune, a Politburo member of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP) Central Committee and President of the Central Committee of the Lao Front for National Construction (LFNC), visited China Datang on Jan. 23rd.

During the visit, Sinlavong held discussions with Zou Lei, Chairman of China Datang. They engaged in friendly exchanges on deepening cooperation in the energy and power industry.

Inlavanh Keobounphanh, a member of the LPRP Central Committee and Vice President of the LFNC Central Committee, Somphone Sichaleune, Lao Ambassador to China, Zhang Maoyu, Deputy Secretary General of the CPPCC National Committee, as well as executives of China Datang including Wang Ying, Zhang Chuanjiang, Tao Yunpeng and Gou Wei, attended relevant activities.

Before the discussions, Sinlavong, along with the delegation, visited China Datang’s production dispatching center. They were provided with comprehensive information on China Datang's energy structure, and overseas business expansion, as well as a detailed demonstration of the center's real-time monitoring, online diagnostics, remote optimization, and emergency command capabilities.

During the discussions, Zou welcomed the visiting delegation led by Sinlavong to China Datang. Zou extended gratitude for the kind reception and generous hospitality received during a visit to Laos with Shen Yueyue, Vice Chairperson of the CPPCC National Committee in 2023, where they were personally greeted by President Sinlavong. This experience allowed them to deeply appreciate the strong bond of friendship between the two countries and their people, Zou noted.

Over the past 63 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties, the relationship between China and Laos has stood the test of time and grown stronger over time. Both countries have forged a special bond of “comrades plus brothers”, earning recognition from Chinese President Xi Jinping as a shining example of good neighborliness and comprehensive cooperation between China and its neighboring countries, Zou said.

Zou pointed out that promoting the development of economic cooperation zones and expanding practical cooperation in areas such as power interconnection, hydropower, and energy are crucial consensus reached by the top leaders of both countries.

China Datang places great importance on its investment and development in Laos, Zou said, adding that the Pak Beng Hydropower Project, currently under development and construction, is a pivotal collaborative endeavor signed between both countries with the witness of President Xi and former LPRP General Secretary Bounnhang Vorachit. The project, a national priority project in Laos’ 9th Five-Year National Socio-Economic Development Plan, marks the first power interconnection project among China, Laos, and Thailand. Once completed, the project will effectively strengthen Laos' leading position in green energy and stimulate the economic and social development of Lao provinces such as Oudomxay, Sayabouly, and Bokeo, Zou said.

Going forward, China Datang will further implement the eight major steps to support high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, which were announced by President Xi at the 3rd Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, with a focus on areas such as green energy, Zou said.

Zou also expressed his expectations for China Datang’s role in involving the economic and trade cooperation as well as production capacity cooperation between China and Laos, and actively promoting the construction of hydropower projects like the Pak Beng Hydropower Project and the interconnection of photovoltaic projects between China and Laos to contribute to the building of a shared future for China and Laos.

Zou Lei, Chairman of China Datang, and Sinlavong Khoutphaythoune, President of the Central Committee of the Lao Front for National Construction (LFNC), hold discussions on Jan. 23rd.

Sinlavong lauded the achievements China Datang has made in its development and conveyed his heartfelt gratitude to China Datang for its active involvement in the development and construction of energy and power projects in Laos, which has greatly contributed to the economic growth of the country.

Noting that China Datang is a major energy enterprise in China, Sinlavong expressed his happiness to visit and reconnect with Chairman Zou, and also extended his sincere appreciation for the warm hospitality of the entire team at China Datang.

Laos highly values and supports the Belt and Road Initiative, Sinhavong said, hoping that this visit would provide an opportunity for the Lao side to learn from the successful experiences and best practices of China's economic and social development, particularly from Chinese companies like China Datang, which would serve as valuable guidance for Laos' own development.

Sinhavong commended China Datang for its proactive approach in advancing the eight major steps of China's support for high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, as well as the significant consensus reached by the top leaders of both countries.

The working methods, work ethic, and work culture demonstrated by China Datang are exemplary and worthy of emulation by businesses and entrepreneurs in Laos, he said.

China Datang's investment in hydropower projects such as the Pak Beng Hydropower Project in Laos has not only brought prosperity to the locals but also created employment opportunities, paving the way for the development of Oudomxay, Sayabouly, and Bokeo, Sinhavong noted.

He expressed hope that China Datang would expedite the implementation of energy and power cooperation projects, encourage more Chinese companies and entrepreneurs to invest in Laos, promote the docking of the Belt and Road Initiative with Laos' development strategy, and provide power support for the establishment of economic development zones and industrial parks in Laos, in a bid to achieve common development and win-win results for both sides.

Members of the Lao delegation introduced their investment policies and expressed their interest in collaboration with China Datang during the discussion session.

Chinese and Lao guests pose for a group photo on Jan. 23rd.

Members of the Lao delegation, CPPCC principal officials as well as executives of relevant departments from China Datang also attended the above events.