Tao Kaiyuan, vice-president of the Supreme People’s Court (SPC) of China, led a delegation to Laos and Thailand from Dec 22 to 26 at the invitation of Viengthong Siphandone, president of the Supreme People’s Court of Laos, and Adisak Tantiwong, president of the Supreme Court of Thailand.

During her visit to Laos, Tao held talks with Viengthong, reviewing the friendly relations between China and Laos and their judicial organs. The two sides reached broad consensus on further deepening judicial exchanges and cooperation, strengthening professional training in adjudication, enhancing the capacity of judicial personnel, and providing guidance on hosting international conferences. During the meeting, Tao briefed the Lao side on China’s progress in advancing the rule of law, adjudication practices, and the digital development of courts.

The delegation visited the Ministry of Justice of Laos, where Tao met and held talks with the Lao Minister of Justice Phayvy Siboualypha. The delegation also held exchanges on issues related to adjudication of intellectual property cases with representatives from the People’s Court of Central Laos and the Vientiane People’s Court during the visit.

During her stay in Thailand, Tao paid courtesy calls on Adisak Tantiwong and President of the Supreme Administrative Court of Thailand Prasitsak Meelarp. She gave an overview of China’s achievements in the development of the rule of law, particularly in judicial digitalization initiatives, including the integrated online court platform, the online legal consultation platform, the case database, and the diversified dispute resolution mechanisms. The delegation visited the Central Intellectual Property and International Trade Court, the Court of Appeal Region 5, and the Chiang Mai Provincial Court, engaging in professional exchanges.

Officials from the SPC, the Hainan High People’s Court, the Hubei High People’s Court, and the Shenzhen Intermediate People’s Court in Guangdong province were in the delegation. The delegation also paid visits to senior officials of the Chinese embassies in Laos and Thailand, as well as the Chinese Consulate-General in Chiang Mai. Representatives from the two Chinese embassies attended relevant activities during the visits.