A ground-breaking ceremony was held here Thursday for the Lao International Convention Center(ICC) , a Chinese-aid project especially designed for the Ninth Asia- Europe Meeting (ASEM) venue.

Boviengkham Vongdara, Lao minister of science and technology and head of the committee in charge of the ICC construction project, highlighted the importance of the international-standard conference center as the Lao authorities are stepping up preparations for the ASEM summit in November.

Boviengkham appreciated the grant aid from the Chinese government, adding that the China-funded project is a symbol of traditional friendship and fruitful cooperation between the two countries and two peoples.

(Source: Xinhua)