The Foreign Affairs (Overseas Chinese Affairs) Office of Hunan Provincial People’s Government recently announced that, the Chinese Government has approved setting up the Consulate-general of Laos in Changsha. The Consulate-general will be open within this year, covering the consular districts of Hunan, Hubei, Henan, and Guizhou. This is the first consulate-general in Hunan since the founding of New China in 1949.
In recent years, Hunan has taken active efforts in implementing the national “Belt and Road” Initiative, and the “innovation-driven development and rise of Hunan via opening up” strategy. Hunan is building increasingly close relations with foreign countries and regions, has improved its opening up process, and witnessed remarkable international cooperative achievements.
In August 2015, the Laos Airlines opened two regular flights between Vientiane and Changsha. Hunan reached letters of intent on establishing friendly relationship with Vientiane and Oudomxay. Hunan-Laos exchange and cooperation has been strengthened.
The opening of the Consulate-general of Laos in Changsha will greatly facilitate Hunan and Laos personnel exchanges, and promote investment, trade, cultural, education, and travel cooperation between Laos and Hunan, as well as provinces in central China. Hunan will enjoy higher reputation and influence around the world. Beyond that, it will assist in protecting the legal rights of Hunan enterprises and people in Laos, and coordinating civil and commercial disputes and consular protection.