Beijing - Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji and Vice-President Hu Jintao yesterday congratulated the newly-elected Laotian Prime Minister, Mr Boungnang Vorachit and Vice-President Mr Choummali Sayasone, state media reported. Mr Zhu sent a message to Mr Boungnang, congratulating him on his election, the official Xinhua news agency said.
The new Laotian leadership was unveiled on Tuesday after a shake-up which diplomats say marks a shift by the communist state towards its giant neighbour China.