Lao Defense Minister Sengnouan Xayalath said it was a great honor for the Lao People's Army to take part in a grand military parade in China earlier this month. [Special coverage]
"We are very honored to march along with foreign militaries past the Tian'anmen Square in Beijing," the minister told Xinhua.
General Sengnouan accompanied Lao President and General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, Choummaly Sayasone, to China on Sept. 3 for activities marking the 70th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War.
A Lao squad made of seven military officers goose-stepped in the V-Day event along with delegations from 16 other foreign troops. It was the first time for the Lao People's Army to participate in a ceremony abroad.
"I believe cooperation between the Lao and Chinese militaries will be further enhanced with the development of Lao-China friendship," Sengnouan said.
Laos and China, which have enjoyed a long history of friendship, are implementing cooperation projects which have contributed to the Lao economic and social development and modernization of the Lao army, according to the minister.
