VIENTIANE, April 21 -- Laos and China pledged here Tuesday to consolidate and deepen cooperation between the two countries.

The pledge came after General Secretary of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP) and President of Laos Choummaly Sayasone held talks with visiting Vice Chairman of China's Central Military Commission Xu Qiliang.

Choummaly Sayasone thanked the long-term assistance and support for his country from the Communist Party of China, the Chinese government and the Chinese army.

Noting that the two parties and the two armies are good comrades and good partners, Choummaly said Laos will consistently stand side by side with China amid the complicated and Changing international and regional situation.

The president expressed the hope that the two sides will further enhance cooperation in all sectors and the cooperation between the two armies will reach a new level. For his part, Xu Qiliang said the cooperation between China and Laos should be strengthened and new communication mechanism should be established.

Xu, who is paying a visit to Laos from Monday to Thursday, said the two countries have enjoyed a long history of friendship and the Chinese people treasure the brotherhood with Laos.

China is willing to work together with Laos to implement the important concessus reached by the leaders of the two countries, consolidate and deepen communication and cooperation, lift the military cooperation, strengthen personnel training and bilateral security cooperation between the two countries, Xu added.