Lao President Thongloun Sisoulith concluded a four-day visit to China from 3 to 6 September, during which he attended key commemorative events and held high-level talks aimed at deepening bilateral cooperation between the two countries.
On the first day, Thongloun attended a parade at Tiananmen Gate in Beijing marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. Heads of state and senior representatives from more than 26 countries, including Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, joined the ceremony.
The following day, Thongloun held official talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.
During the talks, Thongloun stressed that Laos-China relations are at their strongest in history and pledged to advance the newly adopted five-year action plan on building a Laos-China community with a shared future. He reaffirmed Laos’ support for Xi Jinping’s Global Governance Initiative and expressed readiness to enhance coordination with China on the international stage.
Both leaders noted tangible progress under the Second Action Plan, with cooperation expanding in transport, energy, technology, agriculture, education, and poverty reduction.
Recent deals include “Juxtaposed Border Control” arrangements for the Laos-China Railway, support for large-scale development projects in Laos, and joint initiatives in artificial intelligence, satellite navigation, healthcare, and quarantine measures.
Xi stressed the need to strengthen political trust and expand practical cooperation.
Both sides also agreed to designate 2026 as the “Year of Laos-China Friendship” to mark the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations.
Thongloun continued his official visit to China in Xishuangbanna Prefecture, Yunnan Province, until 6 September, where he met with Wang Ning, Secretary of the Yunnan Provincial Party Committee. During the visit, he observed rural development and poverty alleviation initiatives, as well as several economic and trade facilities in the region and at the China-Laos Mohan-Boten border, before returning to the Laos.
During Thongloun’s latest China visit, Xi welcomed Laos’ recognition as a dialogue partner of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and emphasized the need for closer collaboration in governance, Party building, security, and economic development.
Laos officially became the 15th dialogue partner of the SCO during its summit held in Tianjin from 31 August to 1 September. The SCO, founded in 2001, is a regional body for political, economic, and security cooperation, comprising ten member states, two observers, and 15 dialogue partners.
https://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Lao-President-Thongloun-Sisoulith-and-Chinese-President-Xi-Jinping.jpg6271200Soutsada Xaphouvonghttps://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Lao-Simply-Beautiful-.webpSoutsada Xaphouvong2025-09-08 10:53:462025-09-08 10:53:50Lao President Thongloun Wraps Up China Visit with Focus on Friendship, Future Cooperation
Thongly Sisoulith, son of Lao President Thongloun Sisoulith, became Secretary of the Central Committee of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Youth Union (LPRYU) on 26 August.
The Union announced the appointment at its meeting, where Vice President Bounthong Chitmany attended. Thongly succeeds Monexay Laomouaxiong, who previously held the post.
Suliya Keophilavong, Meena Sivilay, and Pany Kindavong also joined the team as deputy secretaries of the Central Committee.
During the meeting, the participants endorsed the 2026-2030 youth development plan, which sets a framework for young people to engage more actively in national initiatives and contribute to Laos’s social and economic development. The plan builds on the achievements and lessons of the past five years.
Thongly has previously served as Deputy Secretary of the LPRYU. His father, Thongloun, has led Laos as President and the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party as General Secretary since 2021, after serving as Prime Minister for the previous five years, and he continues to play a central role in government and diplomacy.
The appointment comes amid major political shifts in Laos.
In June, the National Assembly approved constitutional amendments aimed at modernizing governance by decentralizing power to local committees and revising administrative roles.
The reforms, effective in July 2025, were accompanied by a sweeping government reshuffle that reduced ministries from 17 to 13, reassigned or replaced nine ministers, and merged key portfolios such as Planning and Investment with Finance.
These changes reflect broader efforts to streamline governance and prepare the country for parliamentary elections scheduled for February 2026.
https://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Thongli-Sisoulith.jpg6271200Soutsada Xaphouvonghttps://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Lao-Simply-Beautiful-.webpSoutsada Xaphouvong2025-09-04 09:00:002025-09-02 10:27:39President’s Son Thongly Sisoulith Appointed Youth Union Secretary
The Lao government has partnered with the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) and the Indian Government to prepare for the large-scale fortification of rice in a bid to reduce high rates of malnutrition and micronutrient deficiencies.
The initiative was introduced during the National Workshop on Fortification: Advancing Sustainable Nutrition Security in Laos, held in Vientiane on 28 August. Health officials and development partners discussed establishing national standards and a regulatory framework to guide the production of fortified rice.
Micronutrient deficiencies, particularly iron deficiency anemia, remain a major health concern in Laos.
Government data shows that about 40 percent of women of reproductive age and 44 percent of children under five are affected, resulting in fatigue, stunted growth, and poor learning outcomes.
In 2020, the economic impact of anemia-related health issues was estimated at more than USD 241 million.
Officials at the workshop said rice fortification offered a cost-effective and practical solution, pointing out that rice is consumed daily by almost every household in the country, making it an effective vehicle for delivering essential vitamins and minerals.
The Indian Government, which operates the world’s largest rice fortification program benefiting over 400 million people, is contributing both technical expertise and funding to support Laos. With Indian backing, the Lao government launched its own rice fortification project earlier this year.
The Ministry of Health is spearheading the national effort through its Nutrition Center and Department of Hygiene and Health Promotion, while WFP serves as the implementing partner. WFP brings more than 30 years of global experience in food fortification and has supported similar initiatives in over a dozen Asian countries.
Representatives from WFP stressed that clear standards and strong regulation would be crucial to ensure that fortified rice remains safe, high-quality, and trusted by the public.
The Vientiane workshop marked the beginning of a consultation process to develop a national framework. Once completed, the framework is expected to help Laos integrate fortified rice into its food system and improve nutrition across the country.
Lao President Thongloun Wraps Up China Visit with Focus on Friendship, Future Cooperation
Lao President Thongloun Sisoulith concluded a four-day visit to China from 3 to 6 September, during which he attended key commemorative events and held high-level talks aimed at deepening bilateral cooperation between the two countries.
On the first day, Thongloun attended a parade at Tiananmen Gate in Beijing marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. Heads of state and senior representatives from more than 26 countries, including Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, joined the ceremony.
The following day, Thongloun held official talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.
During the talks, Thongloun stressed that Laos-China relations are at their strongest in history and pledged to advance the newly adopted five-year action plan on building a Laos-China community with a shared future. He reaffirmed Laos’ support for Xi Jinping’s Global Governance Initiative and expressed readiness to enhance coordination with China on the international stage.
Both leaders noted tangible progress under the Second Action Plan, with cooperation expanding in transport, energy, technology, agriculture, education, and poverty reduction.
Recent deals include “Juxtaposed Border Control” arrangements for the Laos-China Railway, support for large-scale development projects in Laos, and joint initiatives in artificial intelligence, satellite navigation, healthcare, and quarantine measures.
Xi stressed the need to strengthen political trust and expand practical cooperation.
Both sides also agreed to designate 2026 as the “Year of Laos-China Friendship” to mark the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations.
Thongloun continued his official visit to China in Xishuangbanna Prefecture, Yunnan Province, until 6 September, where he met with Wang Ning, Secretary of the Yunnan Provincial Party Committee. During the visit, he observed rural development and poverty alleviation initiatives, as well as several economic and trade facilities in the region and at the China-Laos Mohan-Boten border, before returning to the Laos.
During Thongloun’s latest China visit, Xi welcomed Laos’ recognition as a dialogue partner of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and emphasized the need for closer collaboration in governance, Party building, security, and economic development.
Laos officially became the 15th dialogue partner of the SCO during its summit held in Tianjin from 31 August to 1 September. The SCO, founded in 2001, is a regional body for political, economic, and security cooperation, comprising ten member states, two observers, and 15 dialogue partners.
source: https://laotiantimes.com/2025/09/07/lao-president-wraps-up-china-visit-with-focus-on-friendship-future-cooperation/
President’s Son Thongly Sisoulith Appointed Youth Union Secretary
Thongly Sisoulith, son of Lao President Thongloun Sisoulith, became Secretary of the Central Committee of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Youth Union (LPRYU) on 26 August.
The Union announced the appointment at its meeting, where Vice President Bounthong Chitmany attended. Thongly succeeds Monexay Laomouaxiong, who previously held the post.
Suliya Keophilavong, Meena Sivilay, and Pany Kindavong also joined the team as deputy secretaries of the Central Committee.
During the meeting, the participants endorsed the 2026-2030 youth development plan, which sets a framework for young people to engage more actively in national initiatives and contribute to Laos’s social and economic development. The plan builds on the achievements and lessons of the past five years.
Thongly has previously served as Deputy Secretary of the LPRYU. His father, Thongloun, has led Laos as President and the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party as General Secretary since 2021, after serving as Prime Minister for the previous five years, and he continues to play a central role in government and diplomacy.
The appointment comes amid major political shifts in Laos.
In June, the National Assembly approved constitutional amendments aimed at modernizing governance by decentralizing power to local committees and revising administrative roles.
The reforms, effective in July 2025, were accompanied by a sweeping government reshuffle that reduced ministries from 17 to 13, reassigned or replaced nine ministers, and merged key portfolios such as Planning and Investment with Finance.
These changes reflect broader efforts to streamline governance and prepare the country for parliamentary elections scheduled for February 2026.
source: https://laotiantimes.com/2025/08/27/presidents-son-thongli-sisoulith-appointed-youth-union-secretary/
Laos Moves Toward Large-Scale Rice Fortification to Fight Malnutrition
The Lao government has partnered with the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) and the Indian Government to prepare for the large-scale fortification of rice in a bid to reduce high rates of malnutrition and micronutrient deficiencies.
The initiative was introduced during the National Workshop on Fortification: Advancing Sustainable Nutrition Security in Laos, held in Vientiane on 28 August. Health officials and development partners discussed establishing national standards and a regulatory framework to guide the production of fortified rice.
Micronutrient deficiencies, particularly iron deficiency anemia, remain a major health concern in Laos.
Government data shows that about 40 percent of women of reproductive age and 44 percent of children under five are affected, resulting in fatigue, stunted growth, and poor learning outcomes.
In 2020, the economic impact of anemia-related health issues was estimated at more than USD 241 million.
Officials at the workshop said rice fortification offered a cost-effective and practical solution, pointing out that rice is consumed daily by almost every household in the country, making it an effective vehicle for delivering essential vitamins and minerals.
The Indian Government, which operates the world’s largest rice fortification program benefiting over 400 million people, is contributing both technical expertise and funding to support Laos. With Indian backing, the Lao government launched its own rice fortification project earlier this year.
The Ministry of Health is spearheading the national effort through its Nutrition Center and Department of Hygiene and Health Promotion, while WFP serves as the implementing partner. WFP brings more than 30 years of global experience in food fortification and has supported similar initiatives in over a dozen Asian countries.
Representatives from WFP stressed that clear standards and strong regulation would be crucial to ensure that fortified rice remains safe, high-quality, and trusted by the public.
The Vientiane workshop marked the beginning of a consultation process to develop a national framework. Once completed, the framework is expected to help Laos integrate fortified rice into its food system and improve nutrition across the country.
source: https://laotiantimes.com/2025/08/29/laos-moves-toward-large-scale-rice-fortification-to-fight-malnutrition/