VIENTIANE - Visiting senior leader of the Communist Party of China He Guoqiang met with Lao Prime Minister Thongsing Thammavong in Vientiane on Monday to discuss the expansion of economic and trade cooperation between China and Laos.

He, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, conveyed greetings from Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao to Thongsing, expressing his appreciation to Laos' long-term firm support for China on key issues of concern.

"China will also back Laos' endeavors to boost its socialist construction and reform process," He noted.

He proposed the two nations to step up the bilateral cooperation to a higher level in sectors such as mining, energy, infrastructure, pointing out that China and Laos also share great potential to promote trade of their agricultural products.

The Chinese government would continue to encourage Chinese companies to invest and establish business in Laos and boost the cross-border trade at various local level, He said.

Thongsing said the Lao side highly values its ties with China and would work closer with the Chinese side to further strengthen the bilateral comprehensive and cooperative partnership.

Recalling the experience of his previous China visits, Thongsing said he had witnessed the achievements made by the Chinese government and people which is evident to its correct path of national development.

The rapid development and prosperity scored by the Chinese government and its people also boost Laos' faith on its own socialist construction, Thongsing said, vowing to continue to learn the successful experience of national development from China.

At the invitation of Lao People's Revolutionary Party, He arrived in Vientiane on Sunday for a three-day official visit. Laos is the first leg of He Guoqiang's four-nation tour which will also bring him to Cambodia, Malaysia and Russia.