On March 30, 2008, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao held talks with his Lao counterpart Bouasone Bouphavanh in Vientiane. Both sides reached broad consensus on strengthening Chinese-Lao good-neighborly friendship and comprehensive cooperative relations in a cordial and friendly atmosphere.

Wen hailed the sound development of bilateral relations, pointing to the improving cooperation mechanism, expanding cooperation area and more noticeable results of cooperation. Laos' output to China last year increased by 70% and China has become the largest investor of Laos. This shows that to develop the comprehensive cooperative relations of long-term stability, good-neighborly friendship and mutual trust conforms to the fundamental interests of the two countries and their people and is also conducive to promoting regional peace, stability and common development, said Wen. The Communist Party of China (CPC) and the Chinese government cherish very much the traditional friendship between the two nations, said Wen, noting that China will work with the Lao side to push forward Chinese-Lao good-neighborly friendship and comprehensive cooperation.

Bouasone spoke highly of sustained development of bilateral friendly cooperative relations, pointing to the close exchanges, deepening political trust, rapidly growing economic and trade cooperation and fruitful regional cooperation between the two countries. The Lao people thank for China's support and assistance to Laos' economic and social development, he said, adding that the Lao party and government attach great importance to ties with China and are ready to join hands with China to push forward the traditional friendly cooperation between the two countries.

Wen put forward a four-point proposal on furthering bilateral ties. First, maintain high-level exchanges, enhance political trust and continue to show mutual understanding and support on major issues of mutual concern and on multilateral affairs. Second, deepen economic and trade cooperation and achieve win-win results. China is ready to increase imports from Laos and support competent Chinese companies to develop commodity production, invest in hydroelectricity and mining in Laos and participate in its strategy of transforming resources into assets. Third, maintain close collaboration and well implement key projects to be built with Chinese assistance in Laos including roads, bridges and agricultural demonstration centers. The Chinese government will continue to offer assistance to Laos within its ability to help the country promote its capacity building process. Fourth, enhance personnel contacts, especially the friendly exchanges between border provinces and regions of the two countries so as to contribute to regional economic growth. Wen also urged both sides to expand cooperation on personnel training, science and technology, education and national defense.

Bouasone agreed with Wen's suggestions on the bilateral relations, saying that Laos is ready to maintain high-level exchanges with China, enhance political and security cooperation, expand trade investment and increase agricultural outputs to China. The Lao people welcome China's businesses and financial institutions to actively support and participate in Laos' infrastructure construction.

Wen also briefed Bouasone about the facts and true situation in the Lhasa riots, elaborating on relevant principled position of the Chinese government. Bouasone condemned the violence, saying that Laos backs China's lawful actions to maintain social stability and safeguard interests of its people in Tibet.

Describing the Olympic Games to be convened in Beijing this summer as a world sports festivity, Bouasone also expressed the Lao people's best wish for the success of the event.

Following the talks, the two leaders also attended a signing ceremony of a couple of bilateral cooperation documents including an agreement on economic and technological cooperation.

Prior to the talks, Bouasone hosted a welcoming ceremony for Premier Wen Jiabao at the square in front of the parliament building.