Ministry of National Defense: The military of China and Laos will continue to deepen defense and security cooperation.

On the afternoon of January 16th, Colonel Zhang Xiaogang, spokesman of the Ministry of National Defense, issued a statement on recent military-related issues. Reporter: It has been reported that recently General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory message to the General Secretary of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, Thongloun, proposing to expand practical cooperation in various fields. Please further introduce the considerations for promoting the development of military relations between China and Laos. Zhang Xiaogang: 2026 marks the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Laos, and the relationship between the two countries has entered the best period in history. Under the strategic guidance of the leaders of the two parties and two countries, high-level exchanges between the Chinese and Lao militaries are close, organizing series of joint exercises such as "Friendship Shield" and "Peace Train", holding border defense friendly exchanges, mutual visits of young military officers, conducting cooperation in educational institutions, military culture and other fields, pushing the two militaries to deepen and solidify their relationship continuously. The Chinese military has also held mine clearance training courses multiple times to help the Lao side enhance their ability to safeguard the safety and well-being of the people. China and Laos are socialist friendly neighbors with shared mountains and rivers. The Chinese military will work with the Lao side to earnestly implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two parties and two countries, continue to promote traditional friendship, strengthen strategic communication and cooperation, deepen defense and security cooperation, and help advance the construction of a community of shared future between China and Laos towards high standards, high quality, and high levels, making new contributions to promoting regional and even global peace and stability.