On November 13, 2017 local time, General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and President Xi Jinping attended the welcoming banquet held by General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP) and President Bounnhang Vorachithin of Laos in Vientiane.

At around 7 p.m. local time, Xi Jinping and Bounnhang Vorachith walked together into the banquet hall of the Presidential Palace.

Bounnhang Vorachith firstly said in his speech that Comrade Xi Jinping's historic visit to Laos this time will have a significant influence on deepening the traditional friendship between Laos and China and pushing forward the comprehensive strategic cooperation between the two sides. The LPRP sincerely congratulated on the important achievements made by the 19th CPC National Congress and believed that under the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at the core, the Chinese people will make courageous moves towards the strategic target of the "two centenary goals".

Xi Jinping pointed out in his speech that I feel very happy to visit Laos again after seven years and to see the economic development, social stability, political harmony and achievements in all fields made in Laos. Laos is an important country in Southeast Asia. China and Laos are linked by mountains and rivers. The friendly exchanges between the two peoples have a long history and the traditional friendship is deeply rooted in the two peoples' hearts. Over the past 56 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, the good-neighborly and friendly relations between China and Laos have continuously achieved fruitful results and brought tangible benefits to the two peoples. China is willing to join hands with Laos to carry forward the traditional friendship and deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, so as to constantly elevate the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between China and Laos to a new height and work together to forge a community of shared future with strategic significance for both China and Laos.

The banquet proceeded in a relaxing and pleasant atmosphere.

Prior to the banquet, Xi Jinping shook hands with Laos' friendly personages presenting at the banquet including Lao students of the old, middle and young generations who once studied in China, and had warm talks with them. Xi Jinping fully affirmed their contributions to the development of China-Laos relations and encouraged them to continue contributing to the friendship between China and Laos. Especially young people should give full play to their advantages of dynamism and vitality and become the successors of the long-lasting friendly bilateral relations.

Ding Xuexiang, Liu He, Yang Jiechi and others attended the welcoming banquet. Participants present at the banquet from the Lao side included former General Secretary of the LPRP Central Committee and President Choummaly Sayasone, Member of the Political Bureau of the LPRP Central Committee and President of the National Assembly Pany Yathotou, Member of the Political Bureau of the LPRP Central Committee, Member of the Secretariat of the LPRP Central Committee, Secretary of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and Deputy Prime Minister Bounthong Chitmany, Member of the Political Bureau of the LPRP Central Committee, Permanent Member of the Secretariat of the LPRP Central Committee and Vice President of Phankham Viphavanh, Member of the Political Bureau of the LPRP Central Committee, Member of the Secretariat of the LPRP Central Committee and Head of the Organization Department of the LPRP Central Committee Chansy Phosykha, Member of the Political Bureau of the LPRP Central Committee and Chairman of the Lao Front for National Construction Saysomphone Phomvihane, Member of the Political Bureau of the LPRP Central Committee and Minister of National Defense Chansamone Chanyalath, Member of the Political Bureau of the LPRP Central Committee, Member of the Secretariat of the LPRP Central Committee and Head of the LPRP Central Committee Office Khamphan Phommathat, Member of the Political Bureau of the LPRP Central Committee, Secretary of the Party Committee and Mayor of Vientiane Sinlavong Khoutphaythoun, Member of the Political Bureau of the LPRP Central Committee and Deputy Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone and others.