Hanoi (VNA) - General Secretary of the CommunistParty of China (CPC) Central Committee and President Xi Jinping had a telephoneconversation with General Secretary of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party(LPRP) Central Committee Thongloun Sisoulith on January 21.

During the talk, Xi said that China is ready to work withLaos to further intensify high-level contact, cement strategic communicationand deepen experience exchanges on party and state governance, China’s Xinhua NewsAgency reported

The Chinese leader congratulated Thongloun on his electionas General Secretary of the LPRP Central Committee. He said that the China-Laosrelationship is now at its historical best.

Xi also called for concerted efforts to deepen exchanges andcooperation in various fields such as culture, youth and tourism, andcontinuously enrich the cultural content of the China-Laos community with ashared future.

China is willing to work with Laos to strengthencoordination and cooperation in international and regional affairs, and promotecommon development and prosperity, said the Chinese leader.

He also pledged that China will continue to support Laos'efforts to fight the COVID-19 pandemic.

For his part, Thongloun said that Laos appreciates thevaluable support and assistance China has provided in various stages of Laos'development, including in its response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Laos will continue to work with China to strengthenbilateral cooperation and promote friendly exchanges at all levels.

In the conversation, Xi and Thongloun jointly announced theofficial launch of the China-Laos Friendship Year./.