On January 19, 2024, the Lao Prime Minister's Office held a ceremony to confer the title of Honorary Citizen of Laos, which was attended by Prime Minister Mr. Somsai Siphandon.
Song Sai, Prime Minister of Laos, agreed to confer the title of Honorary Citizen of the Lao People's Democratic Republic on Mr. Gu Wei, Chairman of Hong Kong Tianchi Group.
Hong Kong Tiantai Group's investment in Laos has helped and supported the socio-economic development of the Lao People's Democratic Republic, especially creating employment opportunities and income for a large number of Lao people. At the same time, Mr. Gu Wei has provided $5 million in assistance to the Lao People's Democratic Republic for socio-economic development in the past.
Based on the contribution of Tiantai Group, in accordance with the Lao Nationality Law No. 29 dated November 1, 2017 and the Decree on Honorary Citizenship of the Lao People's Democratic Republic No. 279 dated August 9, 2022, the Lao People's Democratic Republic** studied and agreed to sign a decision to confer the title of Honorary Citizen of the Lao People's Democratic Republic on Mr. Gu Wei, Chairman of Hong Kong Tiantai Group***, and a grand ceremony was held. On behalf of the Lao People's Democratic Republic**, Prime Minister Somsai Siphandon had the honour to present the award decision to Mr. Gu Wei.
It is reported that Hong Kong Tianchi Group has carried out investment in mining, agriculture and other industries in Laos, and its chairman Mr. Gu Wei is a legendary businessman.
According to the Decree of Honorary Citizens of the Lao People's Democratic Republic, honorary citizens enjoy exemption from Lao visas, temporary residence permits, and work permits, and can live, do business, work, seek medical treatment, set up a family and other conveniences in Laos, and can purchase vehicles, real estate and register them in their own names, and their status is similar to that of Lao citizens.
Mr. Gu Wei also became the second foreigner to receive an honorary citizen of Laos after the promulgation of the Decree on Honorary Citizenship of the Lao People's Democratic Republic (the first is the chairman of South Korea's Furong Group) and the first Chinese to receive an honorary citizen of Laos.
One of the conditions for being an honorary citizen is to provide support for the socio-economic development of the Lao PDR, which is reflected in the amount of investment and donor assistance.
Since the shareholder of a state-owned enterprise is the state, even if the state-owned enterprise provides great help to the economic and social development of Laos, it cannot be regarded as the merit of its executives or employees, and it is difficult for its executives or employees in Laos to obtain the title of honorary citizens.
Therefore, Laos held a grand ceremony to confer the title of honorary citizen, which was personally awarded by the prime minister, mainly for foreign private entrepreneurs to invest in Laos to create a good investment environment, attract investment, create convenient conditions for outstanding and outstanding investors and give great honor.