Chongqing - China (Chongqing) - Laos Economic and Trade Cooperation Exchange Conference was held in southwestern China's Chongqing Municipality Wednesday afternoon, ahead of the 3rd Western China International Fair for Investment and Trade (WCIFIT).

The conference held in Banan District aims to deepen the economic relations between the two countries. As a special treat, guests were treated to a local intangible cultural heritage with a traditional Mudong Folk Dance.

Traditional Mudong Folk Dance performed at the China (Chongqing) - Laos Economic and Trade Cooperation Exchange Conference. (iChongqing/ Mikkel Larsen)

In her speech, Lao Ambassador to China Khamphao Ernthavanh mentioned that China and Laos are friendly neighbors linked by mountains and rivers. The people of the two countries have traditionally interacted with each other since ancient times, and China has become the second-largest trading partner of Laos. As an investor, China has invested $12.6 billion, and Laos hopes that through cooperation and exchanges, the two sides will further promote their mutual benefits for their peoples and the North-South Economic Corridor as well as the East-West Economic Corridor. Laos aims to achieve and strengthen interconnectivity between the Lao economy and the regional economies through its neighbors, including China.

Lao Ambassador to China Khamphao Ernthavanh gives a speech at the China (Chongqing) - Laos Economic and Trade Cooperation Exchange Conference. (iChongqing/ Mikkel Larsen)

Liu Yongquan, chairman of Banan District Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference mentioned in his speech that in recent years, Banan district has actively participated in the construction of the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor, and economic trade exchanges with Laos have been increasing. In April this year, the cross-border highway shuttle bus from Chongqing to Vientiane in Laos was officially opened.

Liu Yongquan chairman of Banan District Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference gives his speech at the China (Chongqing) - Laos Economic and Trade Conference. (iChongqing/ Mikkel Larsen)

Looking toward the future, Wang Wen, deputy director of the Foreign Affairs Office of the Chongqing Municipal People's Government put forward three proposals for cooperation between Chongqing and Laos:

To actively implement the important consensus reached by the top leaders of the two parties and the two counties, to comprehensively promote practical cooperation between Chongqing and Vientiane, Champasak, and Oudomxay in Laos, and to enhance exchange; rely on Banan Highway Logistics Base and the China (Chongqing) Pilot Free Trade Zone to expand the scale of trade and deepen industrial cooperation; enhance cooperation with Lao universities on the fields of talent training, project cooperation, and cooperation in running schools and educational institutions.