On September 4^th, Prof. Wu Kongming, President of CAAS, met with H.E. Mr. Xaysomphone Phomvihane, the Chairman of the Central Committee of the Lao Front for National Construction and President of the National Assembly of Lao PDR and exchanged views on further deepening agricultural science and technology cooperation between China and Laos. Prof. Sun Tan, Vice President of CAAS, attended the meeting.

Prof. Wu Kongming stated that China and Laos are neighborhoods connected by shared mountains and rivers, and are bonded by the friendly ties enjoyed by the two peoples. Under the strategic guidance of the top leaders of the two Parties and countries, practical cooperation in various fields between China and Laos continues to advance. Over the years, CAAS has continuously deepened and consolidated cooperation with its partners in Laos in various fields, such as prevention and control of animal and plant diseases, crop breeding, as well as agricultural product processing. The two sides established the "China-Laos Joint Laboratory for Plant Protection" to monitor and jointly prevent and control cross-border pests and diseases including fall armyworm and locusts, providing strong technological support for regional food safety and bio security.

Mr. Phomvihane highly praised the scientific research achievements of CAAS and its positive contribution to the development of agricultural science and technology in Laos. He looks forward to further promoting cooperation between CAAS and Laotian research institutions, so as to continuously producing new cooperative outcomes. Both sides agreed to carry out comprehensive cooperation in the fields like prevention and control of crop pests and diseases, seed industry technology, green agriculture, digital agriculture, agricultural poverty reduction, with the aim to provide technological support for the green and high-quality development of agriculture in both countries and serve the establishment of a China-Laos community of a shared future.

Mr. Zhang Wei, Deputy Director General of the Foreign Affairs Bureau of the General Offices of the National People's Congress Standing Committee of China, accompanied the delegation. Responsible officials from the Department of International Cooperation, Institute of Plant Protection, Institute of Vegetables and Flowers, and Institute of Food Science and Technology of CAAS also attended the meeting.