On August 6, 2017 local time, Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Foreign Minister Saleumxay Kommasith of Laos before the series of Foreign Ministers' meetings on East Asia cooperation in Manila, the Philippines.

Wang Yi said that China and Laos are friendly neighbors linked by mountains and rivers and share consistent mutual understanding, trust and support. The Chinese side is willing to continuously help Laos speed up its national development, boost national strength and improve people's livelihood. Last year, both sides intensified cooperation, overcame interferences and pushed China-Laos relations and China-ASEAN relations for new progress. Over the past year, China-ASEAN relations have made positive progress in various fields, and the situation in the South China Sea has been obviously stabilizing, which are fully affirmed by the international community. Especially through joint efforts, China and ASEAN countries have reached an agreement on the "Code of Conduct in the South China Sea" framework in advance, which indicates that both China and ASEAN countries have the confidence, ability and wisdom to well control differences, and well safeguard regional peace and stability. It is hoped that this year's series of Foreign Ministers' meetings on East Asia cooperation could objectively reflect the important outcomes achieved in China-ASEAN relations including the South China Sea issue over the past year, sending out positive messages.

Saleumxay Kommasith expressed that Laos and China are long-term and friendly strategic partners with frequent high-level exchanges. The Lao side thanks the Chinese government and people for helping and supporting its national development, and thanks China for supporting the country's work as the rotating presidency of the ASEAN last year. China is an important partner of the ASEAN. Highly valuing China, Laos and the ASEAN are committed to enhancing Laos-China cooperation and ASEAN-China relations. The Lao side is ready to, together with China and ASEAN countries, well hold this year's series of Foreign Ministers' meetings on East Asia cooperation, to fully reflect the positive progress made over the last year in ASEAN-China relations, especially in the South China Sea issue, and avoid some individual negative factor interfering in the sound momentum of bilateral relations. The Lao side stands ready to play a constructive role to this end.