From April 8 to 9, Luo Cheng, Executive Deputy Secretary of the Communist Party Committee of China-ASEAN School of Economics/School of Economics/China-ASEAN School of Financial Cooperation of Guangxi University, led a delegation to Laos. The purpose of this visit is to further promote academic exchanges and interactions between with renowned universities, research institutes and think tanks in ASEAN countries, to promote in-depth cooperation with ASEAN countries in fields of internationalized talent cultivation, scientific research, faculty visits, platform construction, etc., and to continuously enhance the level of opening up of the School to the outside world. During the visit, the delegation engaged with several key institutions, including the Confucius Institute and the Faculty of Economics and Business Management of the National University of Laos, the Lao Academy of Social and Economic Sciences, the Bank of China (Hong Kong) Vientiane Branch, Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, the Guangxi Chamber of Commerce in Laos and other important organizations.

On April 8th, the delegation visited the Confucius Institute and the Faculty of Economics and Business Management of the National University of Laos. At the Confucius Institute , the delegation engaged in detailed discussions with the Director from Laos, Li Jianmin and the Director from China, Feng Guanghuo, focusing on the institute's developmental history, operational direction, and potential collaborative ventures. These discussions culminated in a preliminary consensus regarding student co-training programs, short-term teacher and student exchange visits, and the joint organization of international conferences. The delegation also discussed the development of the Confucius Institute, the direction of school operation and the intention of cooperation. Subsequently, at the Faculty of Economics and Business Management, the delegation met with Vadsana Chanthanasinh, Executive Dean of the Faculty of Economics and Business Management, and Xayphone Kongmanila, Vice Dean of the Faculty of Economics and Business Management. The discussions centered on  proposals for a short-term exchange program for master's students, reciprocal faculty visits and exchanges, collaborative academic research initiatives, and a 2+2 or 3+3 joint undergraduate program. These dialogues established a foundation for substantive future cooperation between the two institutions.

Delegation visited the Confucius Institute of the National University of Laos

Delegation visited the Faculty of Economics and Business Management of the National University of Laos

In the afternoon, the delegation visited the Bank of China (Hong Kong) Vientiane Branch. The delegation met the President, Li Shuping and the Vice President, Jin Xiaoxin, and their talks focusing on potential collaborations in two key areas: the cultivation of ASEAN-oriented financial talents and joint transnational financial research. The anticipated outcome of these collaborations is to leverage the distinct characteristics and advantages of both institutions to precisely develop urgently needed and high-end financial professionals specializing in ASEAN region.

Delegation visit Bank of China (Hong Kong) Vientiane Branch

The delegation then visited the Lao Academy of Social and Economic Sciences. Member of the Party Group, and Saikham Woradet, Head of the Office of Science Management, Ousavanh Thiangthepvongsa, Director of the Institute for Social-Economic Policy Research, and Kinnalon Phommavong, Acting Director of the Enterprise Development Research Institute, warmly welcomed the delegation and expressed their strong desire to cooperate with Chinese universities in talent training and think tank research. Luo Cheng highlighted the excellent team of the School, its established platforms, and significant accomplishments in ASEAN-oriented think tank research. He emphasized the development of a specialized think tank focusing on China-ASEAN research, along with a China-ASEAN information exchange center, as a key objective for the School. Furthermore, Luo Cheng expressed his anticipation for strengthened collaboration in think tank research to foster mutually beneficial outcomes. Discussions between the two parties centered on several key areas, including high-end talent development, the establishment of a China-Laos regional country research base, collaborative China-Laos economic research, the construction of an information-sharing platform, and the recruitment of ASEAN experts and faculty. Both sides expressed to expedite the signing of a memorandum of cooperation to facilitate tangible progress in these collaborative endeavors.

Delegation visited the Lao Academy of Social and Economic Sciences

On the morning of April 9, the delegation visited the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic. During the visit, the delegation briefed the strategic development orientation of the School, focusing on its construction progress towards engaging with ASEAN, its primary research directions, and initiatives in cultivating international students from Laos. Mr. Han Ye, First Secretary of the Economic and Commercial the Office of the Embassy, met with the delegation and introduced the macroeconomic situation, resource development and utilization, and operation of the China-Laos Railway in Laos, etc. He further expressed the Embassy's commitment to supporting international exchanges and collaborations between the School and the Lao academic community. These supports aim to contribute to the cultivation of ASEAN professionals with a global perspective, ultimately serving the development of the China-ASEAN community of a shared destiny.

Delegation visited the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic

The delegation had a detailed discussions with Secretary General Chen Hang and Vice President Xu Feng at the Guangxi Chamber of Commerce in Laos. These exchanges focused on the present status and challenges facing cooperative ventures between Laos and Guangxi across several sectors, including agriculture, education, energy, and infrastructure. Furthermore, both parties openly addressed key areas for joint China (Guangxi)-ASEAN research, specifically concerning standardization in Lao agriculture, talent mobility, and the cultivation of mutual cultural trust between China and Laos. The conversation also explored practical applications of the China-Laos Railway in lowering trade logistics costs and improving the efficiency of cross-border transactions and payment processes.

Delegation visited Guangxi Chamber of Commerce in Laos

This visit represents a significant initiative in the field of education, directly supporting the construction of “A China-Laos community with a shared future that is high-standard, high-quality, and high-level” as proposed by Chen Gang, the Secretary General of the Party Committee of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, during his visit to Laos. Furthermore, it establishes a crucial platform for international collaboration and exchange between the college and Laos, opening channels for future partnerships. Specifically, this initiative provides substantial supports for the strategic development of the School, which aims at enhancing its ASEAN focus and establishing "Three Bases, One Think-tank, and One Center". Moving forward, the School is committed to deepening friendly exchanges and practical cooperation with its Lao partners. This continued engagement will inject new vitality into China-Laos relations and contribute significant momentum to the broader landscape of China-ASEAN educational cooperation and development.

Liang Quanxi, Vice Dean of the School, Cheng Cheng, Director of the Department of Regional and Country Studies, Wang Yujie, Head of the Department of International Economics and Trade, Jin Dan, Associate Professor of the Department of Regional and Country Studies, and Han Xia, Director of the General Office of the School, were the delegates of all visits.

Translated by Hu Fang

Written by Han Xia, Qin Jingchan

Edited by Li Yeqiu

Reviewed by Gong Zheng