Navigating Socialism, Security, and China in Laos-Vietnam Relations

This year marks a milestone for Vietnam-Laos relations: It marks the 60th anniversary of Vietnam-Laos diplomatic ties and the 45th year of the Vietnam-Laos Treaty of Amity and Cooperation that christened the two nations’ “special relationship.” Officially dubbed the Vietnam-Laos

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Australia and Laos celebrate 70 years of diplomacy

Today, I was honoured to meet with Lao Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, His Excellency Saleumxay Kommasith.

Australia and Laos share a long history of bilateral cooperation, and this year celebrate 70 years of diplomatic relations.

Our relationship is supported

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Rights Groups: 700 Malaysians Trapped in Abusive Laos Scam Centers

BANGKOK — Human rights groups in Malaysia say some 700 nationals may now be trapped in online scam centers across Laos under threat of beatings and electric shock if they fail to meet work targets or try to leave their guarded compounds.

The case highlights what the United Nation

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Rating Action Commentary Fitch Affirms Laos at 'CCC-', Withdraws Ratings

Fitch Ratings - Hong Kong - 10 Oct 2022: Fitch Ratings has affirmed Laos' Long-Term Foreign-Currency Issuer Default Rating (IDR) at 'CCC-'. The Long-Term Local-Currency IDR has been affirmed at 'CCC' and the Country Ceiling at 'B-'. Fitch typically does not assign Outlooks to

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USAID Provides $1.5 Million for COVID-19 Vaccine Rollout Support in Lao PDR

October 13, 2022, Vientiane, Lao PDR – On a visit to Sisattanak District Hospital today, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for East Asia and Pacific Affairs Daniel Kritenbrink announced an additional $1.5 Million USD to further increase COVID-19 vaccination rollout support. The

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China-indebted Laos way more broke than advertised

Laos’ public debt could climb to nearly 95% of GDP by the end of 2022, making it one of the most heavily indebted and mostly likely to default nations in Asia, according to World Bank estimates published this month

Significantly, the World Bank’s already dire debt figures do no

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Laos and ‘Xiplomacy’

In late 2017, Xi Jinping made a state visit to a strategically important neighbor in Southeast Asia. His trip to Laos occurred immediately after the 19th Chinese Communist Party (CCP) Congress had elected him their leader for a second term.

On the final day of the trip, state-run

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