Pay attention to international focus and gain insight into the world. This issue of "High-end Interview" is in Vientiane, the capital of Laos, where we will talk to Thonglun Sisouri, General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party and President of Laos.
In 2021, on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Laos, the China-Laos Railway was officially opened to traffic. On the same day, Chairman Thonglun described the moment as "a dream come true". Now, almost a year later, how has this "dream moment" changed the lives of local people? What are President Thonglun's new thoughts on the development of Laos and the past, present and future of China-Laos relations? Today, we are looking for answers in an interview together.
Moderator: Hello Chairman Tonglun! Thank you very much for accepting our interview. Speaking of Laos, many Chinese may not have been here yet, but we are no strangers to this country, because China and Laos are friendly neighbors connected by mountains and rivers. Especially since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, the relations between the two countries can be said to have rode the wind and waves and endured for a long time. So we would also like to know in particular what your assessment of the relationship between China and Laos? What are your expectations for the future?
Tunlun: That's a very good question. Laos and China are linked by mountains and rivers, and more importantly, the two countries have had a tradition of fraternal and friendly exchanges since ancient times. Laos and China have helped each other at various times in history, and in modern times, the two countries have also supported each other in resisting foreign aggression. In particular, the Communist Party of China, the army and the people have provided prompt, effective and unconditional assistance to the cause of national salvation in Laos. In the period of domestic construction in Laos, the Chinese party, government and people have always given Laos comprehensive cooperation and assistance.
Last year, Laos and China celebrated the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, and we jointly reviewed the long-term and stable comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries from 2009 under the guidance of the "Four Good Spirit" to the upgrade of Laos-China and China-Laos community of common destiny in 2019, all of which have laid a solid foundation for the unbreakable friendship, comradeship and brotherhood between the two countries to continue to develop.
Host: I heard that you first came to China in 1970, when you were a young man in his 20s. What was your impression of China at that time?
Tong Lun: My first time in China was to Nanning, to Nanning. Send Lao students to study at Laos-China Friendship School in Nanning. I have been to China many times since 1970, and China has undergone earth-shaking changes. During that time, we sent more than 500 students to study in China.
Moderator: So much? You were in your 20s, and you were taking more than 500 students, was it stressful?
Thonglun: I am a teacher who sends students there, and I work in the representative office of the Lao Patriotic Front in Hanoi, and I am still very young. You weren't born yet, were you? When we went, Laos was experiencing war, and we had to send our children to China and ask Chinese comrades to take care of them.
Chairman Thonglun recalls a dusty past. During the Vietnam War in the sixties and seventies of the twentieth century, the United States launched a "secret war" against Laos, dropping as many as 2 million tons of bombs on Laos. In order to support Laos, which is mired in war, China built the China-Laos Friendship School in Nanning, Guangxi free of charge. Since it was founded in 1967, the school was named "Six Seven" School. In the midst of the war, as a member of the Laotian Patriotic Front, the young Thonglun escorted a large number of Laotian children to China, and his indissoluble bond with China began. Half a century later, new railways have been built on war-torn lands, children who grew up in China have become the backbone of all walks of life in Laos, and China has changed its appearance through development. As a witness to all this, Tong Lun was full of emotions.
Moderator: Later, I heard from your colleagues that he has been to China many, many times. You've just mentioned the seismic changes, so what are some of the changes that particularly impressed you?
Tunlun: I think what impressed me the most was the tremendous changes that have taken place in China. The first is steady economic development, followed by national security and stability, and then China's international status has been enhanced, and its role in developing countries has been greatly enhanced, and China has now become the mainstay of maintaining world peace and stability.
Moderator: President Tonglun, let's talk about China's development again. This year, the Communist Party of China held its 20th National Congress, which we know is of vital significance to the future development of the Party and the country. What are your expectations for the conference?
Thonlun: Through you, China Central Radio and Television, I would like to convey the close attention of the Lao people and look forward to the arrival of the 20th National Congress of our fraternal party, the Communist Party of China. I look forward to the results of this congress, because the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China is being held at a time when the situation in the world and regions is complex and changeable. But at the same time, China's country is stable and the people's lives are stable. Under the leadership of the Communist Party of China, with Comrade Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee and President of China, as the core, China is developing healthily and steadily. We firmly believe that the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China will achieve major results that will benefit the entire Chinese people, and these achievements will become a powerful driving force to help achieve the second centenary goal and build socialism with Chinese characteristics in the new era.
Moderator: You mentioned the Communist Party of China, you mentioned President Xi Jinping. We know that in fact, you have close contacts with President Xi Jinping, you have had phone calls and talks. In the process of dating, are there any moments or experiences that particularly impressed you?
Thong Lun: I have a very impressive thing to tell you, I went to Shanghai to attend the China International Import Expo, and I visited various exhibition halls with Comrade Xi Jinping and many leaders. When I walked to the high-speed rail exhibition hall, I made a request to Comrade Xi Jinping, "Comrade Xi Jinping, I want to try to drive this train, because there will be trains in Laos soon, and the China-Laos railway is coming." He said, "Please! Please! ”
Moderator: How does it feel? Nervous? Is it stressful to take more than 500 students to China, or is it stressful to drive a high-speed train?
Tunlun: The two can't be compared! This is one of the highest achievements of China's development.
Moderator: You just mentioned that you had a very interesting interaction with President Xi Jinping during the Expo, can you tell us about that experience again?
Tunlun: I was very impressed with that expo. Although the pavilion in Laos is small, Comrade Xi Jinping also visited. I showed him the Lao thousand-year-old tree tea and he said, "Oh, this tea is very good!" After that, the sales of the company that produced ancient tree tea were very good, which shows that the people everywhere Comrade Xi Jinping went were very concerned. He is a very friendly person, cares about everything around him, he visited a lot of booths, which impressed me with the visits, exchanges and exhibits from all over the world.
Moderator: So what kind of leader is President Xi Jinping in your impression?
Tong Lun: Every time I meet Comrade Xi Jinping up close, I am deeply impressed by his friendliness. His friendliness is not only in the exchange of views and talks, but a sincere friendship from the heart. During conversations, he treated people politely and warmly, especially to like-minded comrades, and he was willing to pour his experience and theory into it. Through many meetings, exchanges and work with Comrade Xi Jinping, I feel that he is a leader with strong conviction, foresight and extraordinary ability. I often follow Comrade Xi Jinping's activities in China and internationally, and he has principles, positions and firm convictions. Taking the opportunity of interviewing me with China Central Radio and Television, I sincerely wish Comrade Xi Jinping all the best and all the best.
Moderator: Many people say that China-Laos relations can be "touched and felt" in Laos, which reminds us of the flagship project of mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries - the China-Laos Railway. At the end of last year, you held a video meeting with President Xi Jinping and jointly attended the opening ceremony of the China-Laos Railway. At that time, President Xi Jinping said that after the opening of the railway, from Kunming to Vientiane, "the mountains are no longer high, and the road is no longer long." After the opening of traffic, has it brought some real changes to the lives of local people and economic development?
Thong Lun: Just like you said, I still remember what President Xi Jinping said when he attended the opening ceremony of the China-Laos Railway with me, "Once the railway is opened, the mountains between the two countries will no longer be high and the road will no longer be long", let us treat this railway as a gold road and a silver road, and President Xi Jinping's words impressed me deeply. Since I was Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Laos, I have been paying attention to the China-Laos Railway, which is a major milestone in the history of our Lao transportation.
Before that, there had never been a standard gauge railway in Laos, and this was the first one. Today, this modern railway has become the pride of Laos and its people. Second, Laos is a landlocked country with no access to the sea, and this railway will help Laos have a logistics network to the sea, convenient access to other countries in the region, convenient for both passengers and freight. Promote more investors and tourists to invest and tourism in Laos from all aspects. Third, this historic railway comes from President Xi Jinping's important "One Belt, One Road" initiative, of which Laos is a supporter and concrete practitioner, and has benefited a lot from this initiative. I don't think the China-Laos Railway will stop at Laos. In the future, the China-Laos Railway will also be extended to ASEAN countries. At that time, the mutually beneficial and win-win relationship between China and Laos will achieve greater development.
Host: During the entire construction process of the China-Laos Railway, you actually visited the site many times, and you also took the "Lancang" bullet train. In particular, we want to know how you felt when you were sitting in the carriage and the train started, picked up, and sped off into the distance.
Thong Lun: After the two sides agreed that the construction of the China-Laos Railway would begin, I had to visit the railway construction site three or four times a year, sometimes two or three times. After the official opening of the China-Laos Railway, I took the train to the northern provinces of Laos three times. The first time I went to the ride, everyone was very excited, and the staff let me drive the train with them in the cab. Now I am deeply moved by the train of the China-Laos Railway, and there is also a train in Laos.
Host: I just listened to you talk about the China-Laos Railway with a bright face, and I also have a lot of yearning for this railway. Tomorrow my colleagues and I will go to take the China-Laos Railway and do some interviews and shoots on the train. You've been there many times, you know it well, our first time. What do you think we must see along the route? What is the scenery that cannot be missed?
Thonlun: The scenery on both sides of the railway is very beautiful, but unfortunately when the train enters the long tunnel, you can't see the scenery outside, but these long tunnels will also leave a deep impression on you. Now, more and more Lao people and people in the region want to experience the China-Laos Railway. Many people are excited, "Is there a train in Laos too?" Are you sure? "Really! Laos also has a train! "So at the opening ceremony of the China-Laos Railway, I said that the dream of the Lao people has come true!
Zou Yun, reporter of the main station: I am now on the train of the "Lancang" bullet train of the China-Laos Railway. In February this year, after taking the train, President Thonglun expressed his hope that 7 million people in Laos would be able to take the train and experience the importance of the "Belt and Road" initiative. So how do the passengers on the bus feel about their ride? What changes has the train brought to the travel and life of local people? Let's hear from them.
China-Laos Railway Lao passenger: I am riding the train for the first time, and I am very excited!
China-Laos Railway Thai passengers: excellent! Very exciting, very interesting, the atmosphere is also very good, to take the modern train, Thailand has not yet had.
Zou Yun, reporter of the main station: Where is your destination? Where to get off?
China-Laos Railway Lao Passengers: Luang Prabang.
Zou Yun, reporter of the main station: Have you ever been there?
China-Laos Railway Lao passengers: No.
Zou Yun, reporter of the main station: You specifically chose to go by train instead of bus, why?
China-Laos Railway Lao passenger: Because this is a new railway.
Zou Yun, reporter of the main station: So you want to try it?
China-Laos Railway Thai passenger: Yes, we want to experience the new railway built in China.
Lao passengers: Because Laos is a mountainous area, it used to take a long time to travel. It takes 12 hours by tourist bus and van between Vientiane and Luang Prabang, which is much more convenient with the railway, and the 12-hour journey between Vientiane and Luang Prabang is shortened to only 2 hours.
China-Laos Railway Lao passenger: I have been here eleven or twice, I have not taken the train before, and I am not very satisfied with the car. Now the country has developed, with trains, I like it and on time.
Moderator: Look, Mr. President, the strategic docking between China's "Belt and Road" initiative and Laos' transformation from a "land-locked country" to a "land-linked country" is constantly deepening and solidifying. So in what areas do you expect deeper cooperation between the two countries to jointly realize what you call a "dream come true" moment?
Thonglun: I believe that Laos and China should help each other for all-round development, strengthen cooperation in security, economy, investment and trade, and strengthen cooperation in human resources development. It is believed that through this interview and the broadcast of the program, the development of tourism can be promoted and more Chinese pay attention to Laos.
Moderator: Mr. President, you just mentioned that you hope to attract more Chinese investment. So we also want to know what kind of business environment Laos offers Chinese investors?
Tunlun: If you do it, you have to do your best. There are many Chinese investors who come to invest in Laos, and since they come, they have to help each other to make the investment effective and benefit both sides.
Moderator: President Thonglun, I'm sorry I don't speak Lao, but in the conversation we just had, I think I learned two words, which should represent the meaning of "China and Laos". Because you have mentioned it so many times, I am also very curious to ask you if there are any elements that you are particularly interested in about Chinese culture?
Tonglun: Laos and China have similar cultures, and people's lifestyles, clothing, food, housing, and artistic performances have many similarities or even the same. I think it's these things that make the people of both countries feel like family. Laotians like Chinese food, Chinese songs, like to go to China, to appreciate China's cultural monuments, to visit Chinese museums, these are all things that Laotians are interested in. Chinese too, love Laos.
Host: What is your favorite Chinese food and what is a Chinese song?
Tonglun: Dumplings come first.
Host: What kind of stuffed dumplings?
Thong Lun: Especially the pork dumplings, which are very delicious. My favorite (Chinese) songs are revolutionary songs, I like them very much, many old revolutionary songs are very good.
Moderator: You also mentioned that the challenges and crises in today's world are complicated. So in this context, how do you interpret President Xi Jinping's concept of a community of common destiny? In particular, Laos also supported two very far-sighted initiatives, the Global Development Initiative and the Global Security Initiative. So in the next stage, how do you think the cooperation between the two countries in this area should be further implemented?
Thong Lun: President Xi Jinping's global development initiative, global security initiative and community with a shared future for mankind are of positive significance. There are more than 200 countries in the world, with about 8 billion people. It will be a divided world if the world lacks security, where nations do not take into account a common destiny, or if they do not consider inclusive global development and security. Once the world is divided and war breaks out, there will be no peace and no development. The initiatives (put forward by President Xi Jinping) are all very good, and Laos is willing to support and speak out together to achieve true peace and democracy in the world.
Moderator: I know that a little earlier this year, you said that unilateral sanctions and embargoes will not make the world a better place. So how do you think we can make the world a better place if we all have to work together to meet the challenges and achieve peace and prosperity?
Tunlun: I once said that mutual sanctions, mutual blockades, and mutual pressure will not do anything good for global peace and cooperation. Laos, like China, is a developing country, and we must work together to build a multipolar world, develop globalization, and cooperate and help each other to build a more livable world.
As Chairman Tong Lun told us in an interview, the China-Laos Railway is only the starting point, not the end. This steel dragon carries the friendship, hopes and dreams of the two peoples, and it continues to live and forth over and over again. Under the guidance of the concept of a community with a shared future for mankind, we also look forward to seeing the two countries continue to help each other and walk hand in hand to create more "dream realization moments".
Chief planner丨Shen Haixiong
Director system丨Li Ting
Executive Producer丨Chen Jie
Chief Producer丨Pan Linhua
Producer丨Yin Liping Cheng Yue
Executive Editor丨Ge Qian
Planning丨Qian Siyu
Reporter丨Zou Yun Mo Xiaoling
Camera丨Lu Yiming Li Xiangwei Yang Yongquan Wansana Budavon Wattana Jomanion Sombaser Sirivon
Source: CCTV news client