The Consulate-general of Laos in Changsha opened on December 23, 2017.
CPC Hunan Provincial Committee Secretary and Hunan Provincial People’s Congress Standing Committee Director Du Jiahao, and Lao Minister of Foreign Affairs Saleumxay Kommasith were present at the opening ceremony.
It is the first consulate-general set up by foreign government in Hunan since the founding of New China in 1949, covering the consular districts of Hunan, Hubei, Henan, and Guizhou. It will facilitate the communication between the provinces in central China and Laos, and accelerate Hunan’s opening up and development.
Secretary Du met with Mr. Saleumxay Kommasith before the ceremony. Du remarked that, Hunan and Laos are landlocked countries. Both sides have similarities in geological and natural situations, and maintained close trade and people-to-people exchanges. There are huge potentials for the two countries to learn from each other, and collaborate. The opening of the Consulate-general marks a new start of the bilateral ties and cooperation. Hunan is prepared to jointly work with Laos to implement the consensus reached by the Chinese and Lao governments, further broaden communication and cooperation, create favorable environment for economic and trade development, and promote industrial project cooperation. More fruits are expected to be made.
Mr. Saleumxay Kommasith said that, “The exchanges and communication between Laos and Hunan is a manifestation of the continuous development of the traditional friendship and the comprehensive strategic partnership of cooperation between the two countries. The Lao party and the government attach great importance to strengthening relations with Hunan. The opening of the Consulate-general will further strengthen the bilateral cooperation in various areas. And the Consulate-general of Laos in Changsha will do its best to promote the continuous development of the cooperation between the two sides.”