Chinese Foreign Minister Meets with Laotian Deputy Prime Minister and Appreciates Laos for Being the First to Sign the Convention and Become a Founding Member of the International Mediation Institute

ASEAN Headline News: Lao Deputy Prime Minister Charente attended the signing ceremony of the International Mediation Institute Convention in Hong Kong on May 30th. Laos actively participated in the establishment of the International Mediation Institute and was the first to sign the convention, becoming one of the 33 founding member countries.

According to the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on the afternoon of May 30, 2025, Wang Yi, member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Chinese Foreign Minister, met with Lao Deputy Prime Minister Charente in Hong Kong who attended the signing ceremony of the International Mediation Institute Convention.

Wang Yi stated that we jointly attended the signing ceremony of the International Mediation Court Convention this morning. Lao Fang actively participated in the establishment of the mediation institute, took the lead in signing the convention, and made important contributions. The Chinese side appreciates this. The establishment of the mediation institute conforms to the trend of the times and the spirit of the United Nations Charter, exploring new paths and building new platforms for resolving international disputes and maintaining peace and stability. We believe that Lao Fang will continue to play an active role in promoting the early entry into force of the convention and facilitating the effective operation of the mediation institution.

Wang Yi said that China and the elderly share the same aspirations, share weal and woe, always treat each other with sincerity and support each other. Under the strategic guidance of General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and President Xi Jinping, as well as General Secretary of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party and President Thongloun, the construction of a community of shared future between China and Laos has been solidly promoted, highlighting the broad prospects for the development of the relationship between the two parties and countries. China is willing to work with Laos to deepen strategic cooperation, cultivate cooperation momentum, strengthen bilateral and multilateral coordination and cooperation, jointly resist unilateral bullying, uphold multilateralism and international fairness and justice, and promote the construction of a community with a shared future for China and Laos to a higher level, with the implementation of the important consensus reached by the top leaders of the two parties and countries as the main line.

Sharon Sai congratulated the successful signing ceremony of the International Mediation Institute Convention, stating that mediation reflects the cultural characteristics of Asia, and developing countries are more willing to use mediation to resolve disputes. She believes that the Mediation Institute will attract more countries to join and play an important role in promoting regional peace and security. Laos thanks China for its long-term and firm support, and is willing to implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two parties and countries, strengthen exchanges at all levels, promote cooperation projects such as the Laos China Thailand railway, and achieve more results in building a community with a shared future between Laos and China.

The International Court of Mediation is the world's first intergovernmental international organization dedicated to mediation. As agreed by the negotiating countries of the convention, Hong Kong will become the headquarters of the International Court of Mediation.