During the 20^th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, Sommad Pholsena, Vice President of the National Assembly of Laos, guested on Straight Talk: 10-Year Spotlight, a talk show launched by China Daily and China Watch Insight. He complimented on CPC’s insistence on the original aspiration to serve people wholeheartedly, and also spoke highly of the Chinese path to modernization, the fruits of which have been shared by all people.

Secondly, I think he has offered a solution on how the CPC can escape the historical circle of rise and fall, and the answer is that the Party must stay committed to self-reform. I think we can also learn from that. 

In my personal understanding, the Chinese path to modernization, while involving a process of learning from the experience of Western countries, means that the nation will follow a path of its own development ensuring that everyone can enjoy the outcomes from development, which I think is the most important.

Within a short period of time, China has lifted nearly 100 million rural residents out of poverty, and solved a problem that many countries are still grappling with. How did China achieve its targeted poverty alleviation? I think the most important factor can be found in a Chinese saying: "It is better to teach a man to fish than to give him a fish". First, share leading planting and breeding techniques with farmers. Second, the development of markets is important. Funds are a key factor, but what is more important is to provide Laos with a commodity market that includes agricultural products, a practice that is similar to teaching a man to fish.

The Belt and Road Initiative and the building of a community with a shared future for mankind show the CPC's internationalist perspective to seek happiness for the Chinese people and all mankind. The Belt and Road Initiative and the concept of attaining win-win outcomes have increasingly received positive responses and widespread support from people of all countries. They have driven China's own development and promoted connectivity and common prosperity for the world. This reflects the political strength of the CPC's leadership and the strength of the socialist system. It also provides confidence and strength for developing countries, including Laos, to explore a development path that suits their national conditions.