For an evident example of the ever-strengthening bilateral ties between Laos and China, and the dynamic neighborly people-to-people exchanges, you need to look no further than Beijing.
In the Chinese capital, 3,724 km away from Lao capital Vientiane, hundreds of Laotian students have experienced China's culture and education as well as development first-hand, thanks to an increasing number and variety of scholarships from China.
Educational exchanges between China and Laos date back to 1990. Up till 2016, 1361 Laotian students had been granted the fully-funded Chinese Government Scholarship (CGS), a number surpassing all other ASEAN member countries.
One such CGS winner Kaosep Sephan, a master's program student at Beijing University of Chemical Technology (BUCT), told CGTN that his China experience has provided him with a lot of aspirations. Majoring in computer science, his ultimate dream is to start his own business and build something similar to the Chinese e-commerce platform Taobao.
Another beneficiary of the educational exchanges Sengphet Senghueangkham said she wants to take back what she has learned in China and contribute to the development of her homeland when she returns.
According to the Chinese ambassador to Laos, the number of Laotian students in China totaled 9,907 in 2016, making Laos one of the biggest source countries for international students in China.
With adequate mandarin language proficiency and professional knowledge in their respective fields, there is high hope by both governments that these students will play a constructive role in future bilateral cooperation.
