Zou Lei, Chairman of China Datang, met with Thongloun Sisoulith, General Secretary of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP) Central Committee and Lao President, in Beijing on Oct. 19. Thongloun was in Beijing for the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation (BRF) held from Oct. 17 to 18.

During the talks, Zou and Thongloun engaged in friendly discussions on efforts to deepen cooperation in the power sector in Laos, assist Laos in pursuing green development, and promote the building of a China-Laos community with a shared future. Thongloun spoke highly of China Datang's comprehensive strength, and expressed gratitude to China Datang for its active efforts to get involved in and contribute to Laos' social and economic development.

Thongloun emphasized that Laos enjoys significant geographical advantages and the advantages for energy development. The country is currently deepening the implementation of a new development pattern, which is aimed at integrating economic growth with cultural and social development as well as environmental protection, and promoting green and sustainable economic growth to achieve a stronger, deeper and more comprehensive transformation. By intensifying efforts to implement the new development pattern, Laos has created a better investment environment, Thongloun pointed out, noting that the country looks forward to strengthening cooperation with Chinese companies.

China Datang's development philosophy and direction are highly consistent with Laos' national development plan, said the president, who stressed that Laos will be glad to see China Datang continue to increase investment in Laos and boost cooperation in production capacity and investment between the two countries. The LPRP Central Committee and the government will continue to provide incentive policies and supporting measures for investors, he added.

Zou thanked Thongloun, the LPRP Central Committee, and the Lao government for long-term support for China Datang's development in Laos.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) proposed by China and the 5th anniversary of the signing of the Action Plan for Building a China-Laos Community with a Shared Future, which adds significance to the important agreement for the Pak Beng Project signed between China Datang Overseas Investment Co., Ltd. and the Lao Ministry of Energy and Mines during the third BRF, Zou noted.

Zou emphasized that China Datang will fully leverage its strengths to fulfill its responsibilities for the Project, and make the power station a model of cooperation between China and Laos in increasing production capacity and strengthening connectivity, while further expanding investment in the new energy industry in Laos.

As a large state-owned energy enterprise on the Fortune Global 500 list, China Datang will earnestly implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, align its development strategies closely with Laos' development plan, actively promote the high-quality development of Laos' energy industry, and strive to build exemplary projects in Southeast Asia, thus contributing to Laos' efforts to pursue green and sustainable development and improve people's wellbeing.

Peng Yong, Vice President of China Datang, Saleumxay Kommasith, Lao Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Khemmani Pholsena, Chief of the Office of the LPRP Central Committee, and Saysana Sitthiphone, President of the Laos-China Cooperation Committee, also participated in the talks.