China: Lao president visits renowned Chinese village to learn about green development.

Visiting Lao President Thongloun Sisoulith on Wednesday learned about the successful green development experiences in the internationally-recognized Yucun Village in east China's Zhejiang Province. Thongloun arrived in Zhejiang's provincial capital Hangzhou on Tuesday to begin a five-day state visit to China at the invitation of President Xi Jinping. Located in Anji County of Huzhou City, Yucun Village is the birthplace of the environmental philosophy "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets" -- also known as the "Two Mountains" theory -- put forward by President Xi. The theory is inscribed on a huge stone tablet in the village. Following years of local efforts to integrate ecological protection with rural revitalization, Yucun Village was named one of the "Best Tourism Villages" by the United Nations World Tourism Organization in 2021. Thongloun on Wednesday led a sizable delegation to the renowned village, where he took a picture of the famous stone tablet and listened to an introduction about how the theory had guided the village toward a sustainable development path featuring ecological beauty, thriving industries, and growing wealth for villagers. As both China and Laos are socialist countries led by communist parties, Thongloun, also general secretary of the LPRP, showed an interest in the role of the Communist Party of China (CPC) in the village's development, as he made inquiries with local officials. Invited by villagers, Thongloun's wife Naly Sisoulith experienced making Zongzi, or sticky rice dumplings, a traditional delicacy that Chinese people eat on the day of the Dragon Boat Festival, which will be celebrated on June 19 this year. The Lao delegation also visited an exhibition center showcasing about 1,000 sustainable bamboo products such as bamboo chopsticks and furniture. The bamboo products not only enable Anji County to achieve green development, but also drives the revitalization of local industries. Shotlist: Anji County, Huzhou City, Zhejiang Province, east China - June 3, 2026: 1. Aerial shot of Yucun Village; 2. Stone tablet reading (Chinese) "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets"; 3. Various of Lao President Thongloun Sisoulith visiting village, taking photos 4. SOUNDBITE (English) Bounleua Phandanouvong, head of Commission for External Relations, Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP) Central Committee: "We can learn from the experience of this village."; 5. Various of Thongloun visiting village, observing exhibits; 6. SOUNDBITE (Lao) Thongloun Sisoulith, Lao president, LPRP general secretary: "How many people in your village are members of the Communist Party of China?"; 7. SOUNDBITE (Chinese) Wang Yucheng, village Party secretary: "We have 56 CPC members."; 8. Various of Naly Sisoulith, spouse of Thongloun, making traditional Chinese food Zongzi; 9. Various of Thongloun visiting exhibition, bamboo products on display; 10. SOUNDBITE (English) Somphone Sichaleune, Lao ambassador to China (starting with shot 9): "After the visit, I feel that it is very inspiring for us. We are facing a lot of challenges, so China's experience is very useful for the world."; 11. Aerial shot of Yucun Village. [Restrictions: No access Chinese mainland]