Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi (R) shakes hands with Lao Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Thongloun Sisoulith in Beijing, capital of China, Aug. 23, 2011. Yang Jiechi held talks with Thongloun Sisoulith on Tuesday, pledging to further promote bilateral ties. (Xinhua/Zhang Duo)

BEIJING, Aug. 23 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi held talks with Lao Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Thongloun Sisoulith on Tuesday, pledging to further promote bilateral ties.

Yang hailed the development of bilateral ties since China and Laos established diplomatic ties 50 years ago. Bilateral relations enjoyed frequent high-level visits in recent years, in-depth exchanges of state governance experience, rapid and continued growth of bilateral trade, and intimate coordination and assistance in China-ASEAN and East Asian regional cooperation, he said.

He said China is satisfied with the sound development of bilateral ties and is willing to make joint efforts with Laos to implement the consensus reached by the leaders of both sides and promote the China-Laos comprehensive strategic and cooperative partnership to a new level.

Sisoulith expressed Laos' adherence to the One-China Policy. He said the government of Laos develops relations with China from a strategic point of view and hopes to work with China to enhance pragmatic cooperation in all areas, strengthen coordination and cooperation under the framework of China-ASEAN regional cooperation, and fulfill the connotation of comprehensive strategic and cooperative partnership of the two countries.

They exchanged views on the Ninth Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) to be held next year in Laos and agreed to work together to ensure the meeting's success.

Following their talks, Yang and Sisoulith signed agreements on boundary management principles, border ports management principles, a cooperation protocol between the two foreign ministries, and a memorandum providing aid worth 800,000 RMB to the victims of cluster munitions.

Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi (R, front) and Lao Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Thongloun Sisoulith (L, front) sign agreements in Beijing, capital of China, Aug. 23, 2011. Yang Jiechi held talks with Thongloun Sisoulith on Tuesday, pledging to further promote bilateral ties. (Xinhua/Zhang Duo)