China's Xinhua News Agency and Xinhua President Cai Mingzhao (L) are awarded freedom medals by the Lao government during the opening ceremony of Laos-China Belt and Road Cooperation Forum in Vientiane, Laos, on Feb. 2, 2018. The medals were awarded by Lao Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism Bosengkham Vongdara on behalf of the Lao government for the contributions that Xinhua News Agency and the Xinhua president have made to promote Laos-China friendly relations and supports for the development of the Lao News Agency (KPL). Laos-China Belt and Road Cooperation Forum kicked off here Friday, focusing on development and cooperation between the two neighboring countries. (Xinhua/Qin Qing)