President Xi Jinping is encouraging more people-to-people exchanges between China and Laos as the two countries launched a major campaign on Friday to boost year-round tourism cooperation.

He made the remark in a congratulatory message sent to the opening ceremony of the campaign held in Vientiane, capital of Laos.

Both China and Laos have brilliant cultures and beautiful scenery, Xi said, and people in the two neighboring countries share the same strong willingness to deepen their friendship.

He said he hopes the two nations will use this year's tourism promotion activities as an opportunity to expand people-to-people exchanges and boost cultural communications to foster a good public foundation for building the shared future of the China-Laos community.

Xi said China and Laos support each other in politics and economic cooperation in all areas, and their traditional friendship continues to deepen.

China regards Laos as its good neighbor and good friend, good comrade and good partner, he said.

China is willing to work with Laos to enhance the alignment of development strategies and promote the joint building of the Belt and Road in order to achieve new progress in promoting their bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership, Xi said.