VIENTIANE, April 29 (Xinhua) -- A higher education delegation from southwest China's Sichuan Province visited Laos from Sunday to Tuesday to promote deeper academic and educational cooperation.

The visit aims to promote the building of Sichuan into a strategic highland for opening up to the west and south as well as a new base for participating in international competition.

On Monday, the Sichuan-Laos Education, Economic, and Trade Promotion Conference was held in Lao capital Vientiane, in which the "Study in Sichuan" and "Study Tour in Sichuan" initiatives were launched. The programs highlight the province's educational opportunities for Lao students and institutions.

During the visit, the delegation engaged in in-depth discussions on joint academic programs, scientific research, vocational training, and faculty and student exchanges.

In addition, a series of agreements were reached on the compilation of local Chinese language textbooks, joint talent cultivation between schools and enterprises, co-construction of internship bases, and the transformation and implementation of industry-academia-research results.