Guo Mingrui and Fang Wen: New Progress in Laos's Socialist Modernization Construction
In 2021, the 11th National Congress of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP) set forth the goal of achieving modernization. Since the 11th Congress, in the face of a complex international situation and burdensome domestic tasks, the LPRP has united and led the multi-ethnic people of Laos in deepening "Renovation" [1], following a development path suited to its own characteristics. By implementing a multi-pronged approach, the Party has continuously pushed for new progress in socialist modernization.
Further Strengthening Party Building
Strengthening the Party’s ideological and theoretical building. Since the 11th Congress, facing new situations and tasks, the LPRP has adhered to the "Six Fundamental Principles" [2] and placed greater emphasis on strengthening the Party's ideological and theoretical construction to ensure that Party members and cadres at all levels remain loyal to the Party, the people, the socialist cause, and the people's democratic system. First, the Party has further strengthened theoretical research, summarizing experiences in Party theoretical construction, conducting propaganda and research on Marxism-Leninism and Kaysone Phomvihane Thought [3], and refining the political theory curriculum in all types of education. Based on reality, it has continuously renovated the content of political and ideological education to maintain systematicity in teaching political thought, Party history, and national history. Second, the Party pays close attention to social trends, assessing and judging negative propaganda and ideological dynamics that distort facts. It aims to discover and resolve problems in a timely manner, improve the competence and quality of personnel in the political field, and strengthen institutional building to ensure the propagation and promotion of noble national values. Third, the Party has strengthened the management of the internet, strictly cracking down on speeches and actions that distort facts, involve reactionary slander, create psychological pressure, or divide and undermine the country's political security. Fourth, it has strengthened political and ideological education for the youth to help them understand the history of the Party and the nation, raise their political consciousness, and become a new generation of the era characterized by patriotism, morality, positivity, a spirit of exploration and innovation, and wisdom.
Adhering to and strengthening the Party’s overall leadership. The LPRP believes that strengthening Party leadership is not only related to the future and destiny of the Party and the state but is also the fundamental political guarantee for the healthy development of all undertakings. Since the 11th Congress, the LPRP has further strengthened its centralized and unified leadership, implementing and reflecting it in various fields such as the economy, politics, culture, ecology, people's livelihood, diplomacy, and national defense and security. The LPRP emphasizes that under the centralized and unified leadership of the Party Central Committee, links between various departments must be tightened to achieve mutual cooperation and supervision, jointly serving society and the masses. To make the Party's overall leadership stronger and more effective and to continuously improve leadership capacity, the LPRP has put forward general requirements for stabilizing intra-Party political life, strictly observing Party political discipline, and adhering to the principle of democratic centralism.
Strengthening the Party’s work style. First, the Party requires members and cadres at all levels to go deep into the grassroots, into reality, and into poverty-stricken areas to understand the production and living conditions of the masses and solve practical development problems for them. For this reason, the LPRP emphasizes that Party members, cadres, and state personnel must go among the masses, put the masses first, and consider everything from the perspective of the interests of the masses, as this is the only way to win the support and backing of the people. Second, the Party continues to strictly implement the guidelines established by the 11th National Congress, which require respecting the people's right to be masters of the country, further improving the people's democratic system, trusting and relying on the masses, and taking the pursuit of happiness for the people as the highest goal of Party leadership. Third, Party members and cadres must further raise their political and ideological awareness and firmly establish the concept that "the masses are in my heart," taking the promotion of rural development and the decisive battle against poverty as their objectives. Fourth, the Party is improving its oversight. It seeks to provide objective supervision and evaluation of the achievements and shortcomings of Party organizations and cadres, urging them to hold themselves to high standards, enhance unity, and fulfill their duties and responsibilities.
Strengthening the development of the Party membership. The LPRP has always regarded purifying the ranks of Party members as a crucial component and key link in strengthening its own building. Guided by Marxism-Leninism and Kaysone Phomvihane Thought, and using the Party's ideological, theoretical, political, and work style construction as levers, it vigorously promotes the Party's fine traditions. It maintains the advanced nature and revolutionary character of the working class within the Party ranks, ensuring it remains a clean, strong, and solid vanguard. Since the 11th Congress, Laos has strengthened the education and training of Party members and cadres with the aim of building a contingent that is responsible, idealistic, possessed of revolutionary morality, and loyal to the Party. To encourage cadres to be courageous and proactive, Laos holds annual award ceremonies for outstanding civil servants, awarding honorary certificates and first, second, or third-class merits based on performance appraisals.
Vigorously Promoting Economic Development
Vigorously developing agriculture and tourism. Laos is an agrarian nation and a major tourist destination. Economic growth in Laos is primarily driven by agriculture and tourism; since the lifting of pandemic restrictions, agriculture and most sectors of the tourism industry have gradually regained vitality. The Asian Development Bank reported that economic growth in Laos in 2022 was positively influenced by factors such as increased agricultural output, the recovery of domestic tourism, increased power generation, and infrastructure projects. It is worth noting that since the post-pandemic reopening, the plantation and livestock industries in Laos have recovered rapidly, with a large volume of agricultural products exported to China, Thailand, and other countries and regions. Laos has also adopted many effective methods to incentivize and revitalize tourism, leading to a surge in foreign arrivals and driving rapid growth in tourism revenue. Additionally, industrial mining and energy exports have, to a certain extent, provided "icing on the cake" for domestic economic development at an opportune time.
The China-Laos Railway driving development along its route. The China-Laos Railway is a flagship project of the Belt and Road Initiative, organically linked with the Lao strategy of transforming from a "land-locked country" to a "land-linked country." It has played a major role in driving Lao economic development and directly benefiting the Lao people. Since opening in December 2021, the railway has leveraged its "spatio-temporal" advantages, facilitating the flow of people, goods, capital, and information along this 1,000-kilometer line, releasing its maximum comprehensive benefits. On one hand, it has activated the tourism economy along the route and promoted local economic prosperity; on the other, it has driven the increasing prosperity of mineral development, sand and gravel production, cement production, farming, and service industries such as catering, guesthouses, and agencies. Now, with the China-Laos Railway as the main axis, a convenient and efficient international logistics corridor has been built between China, ASEAN, and the world, activating freight business at stations like Vientiane South and Vang Vieng, bringing more jobs and opportunities for prosperity to local people.
Strengthening the construction of the digital economy. Since the 11th Congress, the LPRP has placed the construction of the digital economy on its agenda. Following deliberation and approval by the National Assembly, Laos has successively promulgated several documents, including the Five-Year National Digital Economy Development Plan, the Ten-Year National Digital Economy Development Strategy, and the Twenty-Year Vision for the National Digital Economy. Relevant Lao ministries have publicly explained the necessity and importance of strengthening the digital economy and the main contents of the planning. In December 2022, Thongloun Sisoulith, General Secretary of the LPRP Central Committee and President of Laos, pointed out at the National Digital Construction Conference that Party leadership over the digital economy must be strengthened, traditional thinking must be broken through, a unified will must be formed, and the leading and managing role of the state must be exerted to promote the participation of the entire society. He also emphasized the need to raise the awareness of Party committees, administrative organs, cadres, and the masses regarding the urgency of digitalization.
Focusing on Poverty Alleviation
The LPRP has always treated poverty alleviation as a fundamental and regular task, continuously and vigorously promoting it. The goal is to shift from "blood transfusion" (passive aid) to "blood production" (self-reliance), focusing on developing internal capacity.
Using livelihood projects as a driver to help impoverished areas and people develop industries. By focusing on the developed of planting, breeding, and agricultural/forestry product processing, the Party drives local economic prosperity. It adopts preferential measures to create jobs and recruits more people to participate in the construction of the China-Laos Railway to increase household incomes.
Carrying out China-Laos cooperation on poverty alleviation. This includes the implementation of the "Eight Major Projects of Aid to Laos" (also known as the "Four 100s" project), which involves building 100 rural lighting projects, 100 rural digital TV projects, 100 health projects in poor rural areas, and 100 water supply projects in poor rural areas. Based on the spirit of the Joint Statement on Further Deepening the Building of a China-Laos Community with a Shared Future, the two countries have further strengthened exchanges of experience and cooperation in poverty alleviation and rural revitalization, focusing on supporting capacity building for Lao personnel in these fields. The Action Plan of the Communist Party of China and the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party on Building a China-Laos Community with a Shared Future (2024–2028), signed in 2023, states that the two sides will continue to carry out livelihood projects such as rural poverty alleviation facilities, support the improvement of livelihoods in northern Laos, and jointly promote the achievement of positive results for the Global Development Initiative in Laos. This is not only a major driving force for Laos to thoroughly shake off absolute poverty but also a vivid practice of deepening the China-Laos community with a shared future.
At the 2022 conference on "Political Infrastructure Construction, Comprehensive Rural Development, Summary of the Implementation of the 'Three Constructions' Work, and Planning for 2025," General Secretary and President Thongloun emphasized that promoting rural development and escaping poverty is an important strategy for the long-term survival of the Lao people's democratic system. To date, more than 50 districts, 4,700 villages, and 900,000 households in Laos have achieved poverty alleviation.
Deeply Advancing the Construction of a Socialist State under the Rule of Law
Building a socialist state under the rule of law is the LPRP's basic strategy for leading the people in governing the country. Since the 11th Congress, the LPRP has continued to advance this based on specific realities, achieving good results.
Strengthening Party leadership over the rule of law. The LPRP believes the state legislative body is a faithful representative of the people's rights and interests. Its role in formulating and improving laws must be gradually strengthened, all while adhering to the Party's overall leadership to ensure the correct political direction, social fairness, and justice.
Improving the government administrative system and adhering to administration according to law. The LPRP emphasizes governing the country strictly according to laws and regulations, with a focus on improving central and local administrative organs to make them compact, transparent, concise, efficient, and suited to Lao reality.
Strengthening the judicial contingent. Since the 11th Congress, the LPRP has paid more attention to the construction of the judicial workforce, improving the work of judicial organizations at all levels, and cultivating courageous leaders, judges, and staff. Through regular education and training, it aims to improve their ideological and moral quality and loyalty to the Party and the state.
Further improving the modern legal system. To date, Laos has promulgated more than 180 laws, providing strong protection for socio-economic development. Since the 11th Congress, under the LPRP’s leadership, the National Assembly has increased the intensity of legislative work, formulating a series of laws and regulations consistent with national conditions and the development of the times. The current system covers politics, economy, culture, society, ecology, diplomacy, and national defense horizontally, while vertically connecting the center with local levels, thereby safeguarding legal rights and enhancing social vitality.
Strengthening the Party’s Guidance of Diplomacy and Actively Promoting China-Laos Cooperation
From November 29 to December 1, 2022, at the invitation of Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee and President of China, Thongloun Sisoulith, General Secretary of the LPRP Central Committee and President of Laos, led a delegation to China. This was his first visit to China since being elected General Secretary at the 11th LPRP Congress, highlighting the special importance of the relationship between the two parties and two countries.
General Secretary Xi Jinping held cordial talks with General Secretary Thongloun at the Great Hall of the People. Both sides emphasized that they would uphold the principle of "long-term stability, neighborly friendship, mutual trust, and all-round cooperation" and the spirit of "good neighbors, good friends, good comrades, and good partners." They pledged mutual respect and trust politically, mutual benefit economically, mutual assistance in security, and mutual understanding in people-to-people exchanges, constantly deepening the China-Laos community with a shared future and contributing to the construction of a community with a shared future for humanity.
Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee and President of the State, introduced the primary outcomes of the 20th CPC National Congress. He pointed out that the Congress expounded on major issues such as opening new frontiers in the Sinicization and modernization of Marxism, put forward the mission and tasks of the Communist Party of China on the new journey in the New Era, and emphasized the need to comprehensively build a modern socialist country and comprehensively advance the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. Thongloun Sisoulith, General Secretary of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP) Central Committee and President of the State, spoke highly of the 20th CPC National Congress. He noted that the Congress was a major event for China’s New Era and has an important influence on global development. In a situation where the world is undergoing complex changes, China serves as a mainstay [6] for maintaining world peace and stability, and is committed to promoting collective human development and building a community with a shared future for humanity. During the visit, General Secretary and President Thongloun visited the Museum of the Communist Party of China. He emphasized that the great achievements made by the CPC had left a wonderful impression on him, and that in the future, China and Laos must continue to uphold the "four goods" [7] spirit, continuously promoting the construction of a China-Laos community with a shared future to ensure it makes steady and long-term progress [8] and bears fruit.
On October 20, 2023, Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee and President of the State, met at the People's Hall with Thongloun Sisoulith, General Secretary of the LPRP Central Committee and President of the State, who had come to China to attend the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation and conduct a working visit. This was the third time General Secretary and President Thongloun had come to China within a period of nearly one year.
General Secretary and President Xi Jinping emphasized that adhering to the leadership of the Party and adhering to the socialist direction are the essential characteristics of China-Laos relations. The two parties of China and Laos must continue to deepen political mutual trust, improve governance capacity, and strengthen communication and cooperation in fields such as politics, law enforcement, and security. It is necessary to tap the potential of the China-Laos Railway, focusing on development along the railway line, steadily advancing the construction of the China-Laos Economic Corridor, actively promoting concepts for regional connectivity and development, and creating a model for "Belt and Road" cooperation in the region. The Chinese side is willing to continue providing assistance within its capacity for the economic development of Laos, encouraging more Chinese enterprises to invest in Laos, importing more high-quality Lao agricultural products, and expanding cooperation in fields such as energy and mining.
General Secretary and President Thongloun pointed out that the eight actions to support the high-quality construction of the "Belt and Road" proposed by General Secretary Xi Jinping have injected new momentum into the project. The Lao side is willing to strengthen high-level interaction with the Chinese side, deepen the exchange of experience in governance [9], advance pragmatic cooperation such as the China-Laos Economic Corridor, strengthen coordination and cooperation on ASEAN-China relations and regional issues, and promote new developments in China-Laos relations.
China and Laos are both socialist countries led by Communist Parties; their ideals and beliefs are interconnected, their social systems are the same, their development paths are similar, and their futures and destinies are linked. The successful visit to China by General Secretary and President Thongloun highlights the role of the relationship between the two parties in "navigating and steering" [10] China-Laos exchanges and cooperation. It demonstrates the determination of the two parties, the two countries, and the two peoples to cherish and carry forward their traditional friendship, and reflects the mutual support of the two parties for the modernization causes of both countries. This will surely inject new momentum into the development of world socialism.
Looking to the future, Laos will be guided by the spirit of the 11th National Congress of the LPRP and its various plenary sessions. Under the strong leadership of the LPRP, Laos will clearly recognize the international situation, base itself on its national realities, and follow the line of principled comprehensive renovation [11]. It will further explore a socialist path suited to its own conditions, deeply promote the Laotianization and modernization of Marxism, strengthen the Party's self-building, continuously improve the socialist-oriented market economy system, advance the modernization of state governance, actively integrate into the processes of regional and international integration, and pursue a path of independent development through industrialization and modernization to achieve green, sustainable, and high-quality development.
(This article is a periodic result of the General Project of the National Social Science Fund "Strategic Significance and Realization Path of Constructing a Digital Community with a Shared Future" (23BKS124))
Online Editor: Tong Xin Source: Socialism Forum, Issue 12, 2023