VIENTIANE, April 30 (Xinhua) -- The Lao government on Thursday conferred the Chinese government first class medal of development for its contribution in Lao's infrastructure construction.
The medal was presented by Lao Minister of Public Works and Transport Bounchan Sinthavong to Chinese ambassador to Laos Guan Huabin in Lao capital Vientiane.
Speaking at the ceremony, Bounchan Sinthavong, on behalf of the Lao government and people, expressed the gratitude to Chinese government and people for the continuous support to his country.
Bounchan Sinthavong thanked China's support for Laos in construction of Huay Xai-Chiang Khong Bridge connecting Laos and Thailand in 2013. The project was constructed with China's non- refundable aid of over 24.971 million U.S. dollars.
Guan Huabin, for his part, said China has always been supporting Laos in socio-economic development, adding the medal shows the profound traditional friendship between China and Laos.
The Huay Xai-Chiang Khong Bridge serves as the final link in the 1,750-km Kunming-Bangkok highway, which will facilitate traveling between China, Laos and Thailand and also accelerate regional connectivity, Guan said.
Laos' dream on turning itself from a land-locked country to a land-linked one goes well with China's "Belt and road" initiatives, namely the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road, Guan said.
China will join hands with Laos to promote the initiatives which will offer new opportunity to further deepen the multi- faceted cooperation between the two countries, the ambassador added.