Southeast Asia Information Port (www.dnyxxg.com) – Officials from China and Laos recently reached an important consensus to further deepen economic cooperation, trade, and investment in border areas, aiming to effectively improve the well-being of local people and promote the continued development of bilateral relations.
This consensus stemmed from a special meeting jointly held by the Industry and Trade Departments of Oudomxay, Bokeo, Luang Prabang, Luang Namtha, and Phongsaly provinces in Laos and the Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture Chamber of Commerce in China. Concurrently, at the 10th Lao-China Trade Cooperation and Exchange Conference held in Oudomxay province, both sides not only reviewed the implementation of agreements from the previous meeting but also formally adopted the 2026 cooperation plan. According to Lao Security News, the plan includes several key measures focusing on upgrading trade, expanding investment, and promoting economic development in the northern region. Both sides also signed a memorandum of understanding, reaffirming their commitment to strengthening economic ties and exploring new opportunities for shared growth, with a particular focus on improving the living standards of people in border areas.
According to the cooperation plan, China and Laos will focus on promoting cooperation in three key areas: First, expanding bilateral trade, deepening investment collaboration, and strengthening cooperation in industrial processing, particularly in agricultural products, to achieve mutual benefit and win-win results through two-way promotion of import and export trade; second, supporting cross-border trade development, encouraging the establishment of a Chinese Enterprises Association, and promoting the rotation of enterprises from both countries to participate in various exhibitions and border trade fairs; and third, deepening cooperation in the agricultural sector, working with the Lao Ministry of Agriculture and Environment to develop the beef cattle breeding industry, improve cattle breeds, and provide technical support for feed and other crop cultivation.
To solidify cooperation, both sides also reached several supporting agreements: agreeing to establish a joint coordination unit to strengthen border security cooperation through information sharing and severely crack down on smuggling and illegal trade; and increasing support for small and medium-sized enterprises, providing training on trade law and facilitation, and encouraging enterprises from both countries to regularly participate in trade exhibitions and exchanges in traditional markets to enhance mutual trust and understanding and promote common development.
