Hanoi (VNA) -♏ The 10th National Congress of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP) kicked off in Vientiane on January 18, a turning point marking the strong development of the party in both quantity and quality.

The event takes place just after the Lao Party, army and people celebrated the 60 th founding anniversary of the LPRP, the 40th National Day and the 95th birthday of late President Kaysone Phomvihane. Established on March 22, 1955, the LPRP has developed from 400 initial members to the current more than 200,000. Under the sound and flexible leadership of the Party, the Lao people seized power and set up the Lao People’s Democratic Republic on December 2, 1975, as well as have made great achievements during their national construction and defence. Since the LPRP set out a comprehensive reform policy 30 years ago, the Lao economy has seen continuous and stable development. A market economy with State management has been gradually built, consolidated and developed. Foreign investment has continuously increased. Per capita income reached 1,970 USD a year, 16 times higher than that of 1985, while the poverty rate fell to 6.59 percent and 89 percent of households nationwide gained access to the national grid. Together with economic development, the Lao Party and State have always paid attention to socio-cultural development and employee training. Education quality has improved with the completion of nationwide primary education universalisation in 2015. The health service network has been expanded to each locality, resulting in a remarkable drop in mother and infant mortalities, and increasing life expectancy. The LPRP has also actively implemented a comprehensive defence and security policy, firmly safeguarding independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity. It has also facilitated the cause of national development. The political system and people’s democracy have been strengthened, while the leadership role of the Party has been consolidated in all aspects. Thanks to the country’s all-round efforts over the past six decades, its regional and global standings have risen. During the congress, which will last until January 22, delegates will focus on discussing and approving the Party Central Committee’s Political Report. They will also work on the eighth five-year socio-economic development plan for 2016-2020, which aims to help the country rise out of its status as underdeveloped 2020 with an average GDP growth rate of 7.5 percent per year. Under the plan, Laos will also adjust its economic structure in conformity with development conditions of each region and in line with sustainable poverty reduction, while upgrading infrastructure and improving human resources toward industrialisation and modernisation. At the event, delegates are also expected to adopt the amended Party Statute and elect members for the LPRP Central Committee’s next tenure.-VNA