Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Laos' Foreign Minister Thongsavanh Phomvihane in Yunnan Province on Thursday, signaling a fresh push for regional collaboration. The talks focused on boosting economic ties, countering 'economic coercion,' and welcoming Laos into the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) as a dialogue partner. 💼🌐
Wang, a senior Communist Party of China official, emphasized China's commitment to sharing its massive market opportunities with Laos. 'We’ll encourage more Chinese businesses to invest in Laos and safeguard supply chain security,' he said, framing the partnership as a shield against global economic pressures. 🛡️💡
Laos, currently chairing ASEAN, reciprocated the enthusiasm. Thongsavanh praised China’s support for its SCO bid and vowed to deepen the 'Laos-China community with a shared future'—a nod to Beijing’s signature diplomatic phrase. The meeting coincided with the 10th Lancang-Mekong Cooperation summit, highlighting Southeast Asia’s growing economic web. 🌊📈
Why it matters: As Western sanctions reshape global trade, China is doubling down on alliances with neighbors like Laos. With Laos joining SCO projects, expect more cross-border infrastructure and energy deals—and a stronger Chinese footprint in ASEAN’s backyard. 🚄⚡
