General Secretary of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party Central Committee and Lao President Thongloun Sisoulith, who is currently on a state visit to China, visited Anji county in Huzhou, Zhejiang province, on June 3.

Despite the misty rain, Yucun village in Anji, surrounded by lush mountains, resembled a traditional Chinese ink painting. Known as the birthplace of China's green development concept that "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets", Yucun has pursued sustainable development by promoting eco-friendly initiatives and cultural tourism for over 20 years.

Sisoulith visited Chunlin Villa, the village's first homestay, where he talked with local officials and business owners about the eco-friendly development model. He praised Yucun's efforts to shut down mines and develop new cultural tourism ventures.

Lao President Thongloun Sisoulith visits the "Bamboo as a Substitute for Plastic" Exhibition Center in Anji, East China's Zhejiang province. [Photo/WeChat account: huzhoufabu]

In Dazhuyuan village, the "Bamboo as a Substitute for Plastic" Exhibition Center showcases over 1,000 bamboo products, highlighting the innovative development of Anji's bamboo industry. Sisoulith expressed interest in these green innovations, noting that Laos also has abundant bamboo resources.

At Xiaoyin Half Day Village in Lingfeng National Tourist Resort, the president observed the transformation of traditional villages into modern homestay clusters, learning about the development of local cultural tourism and rural vitalization.

Zhejiang and Laos have deepened exchanges in trade, culture, and youth engagement in recent years. Notably, the China-ASEAN Conference on Sustainable Development Cooperation has been held in Huzhou for three consecutive years.