China and Laos pledged on Tuesday to speed up railway construction talks with the aim of signing agreements as soon as possible.

Negotiations on an inter-governmental railway agreement have been initiated to promote the interconnection of the two neighboring countries, Premier Li Keqiang and visiting Lao Prime Minister Thongsing Thammavong announced after meeting in Sanya, Hainan province.

Li said the China-Laos railway is the focus of ongoing major cooperation between the two countries, and China hopes an agreement can be reached as soon as possible to set the stage for further cooperation.