In order to implement important consensus reached by leaders of two sides, 2019 “China-Laos Tourism Year” unveiled in Vientiane on January 25th. Chinese President Xi Jinping and Lao President Boungnang made the remark respectively in a congratulatory message sent to the opening ceremony of the campaign.
Xi said China and Laos support each other in politics and economic cooperation in all areas, and their traditional friendship continues to deepen. China regards Laos as its good neighbor and good friend, good comrade and good partner, and is willing to work with Laos to enhance the alignment of development strategies and promote the joint building of the Belt and Road in order to achieve new progress in promoting bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership. Both China and Laos have brilliant cultures and beautiful scenery, Xi said, and people in the two neighboring countries share the same strong willingness to deepen their friendship. It is hoped that the two nations will use this year's tourism promotion activities as an opportunity to expand people-to-people exchanges and boost cultural communications so as to foster a good public foundation for building the shared future of the China-Laos community.
“It is hoped that both sides could take the tourism year as a great opportunity to further strengthen the traditional friendship between two peoples, enhance people-to-people and cultural exchanges and deepen understanding of two sides’ noted Boungnang. During the China-Laos tourism year in 2019, the Lao government is hoping for a surge in Chinese visitors and Lao people are also advised to travel in China.
Chinese Minister of Culture and Tourism Luo Shugang and Lao Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism Bosengkham read the remarks by leaders of two countries. Sonexay, member of the Central Committee of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party and deputy prime minister of Lao, delivered a speech and announced the opening of tourism year. Sinlavong, member of the Central Committee of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, mayor and secretary of the municipal committee of Vientiane, Khemmany, Lao minister of Industry and Commerce and Jiang Zaidong，Chinese ambassador to Laos, were present.
The opening ceremony consists of two major parts, namely cultural and artistic performances by China Oriental Performing Arts Group Co.Ltd, China National Symphony Orchestra and Lao artists, as well as tourism negotiation. According to work plans of two sides, the Chinese Ministry of Cultural and Tourism will sign up agreement with Lao Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism about holding the exchanging and cooperative programs throughout the year of 2019, such as tourism promotions, forums, training, artistic performances and food promotions. Moreover, platform for dialogues will be built for tourism departments and enterprises so as to jointly design tourism routes and establish Lao’s tourism brand, thus increasing the number of tourists.
It is reported by Local daily Vientiane Times that more than 800,000 tourists from China came to Laos in 2018, an increase of 26 percent compared to 2017, according to Lao Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism. The Lao government project is hoping to attract more than one million Chinese to visit Laos.