(Photo: Xinhua)

BEIJING, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping has recently exchanged messages with his Lao counterpart Bounnhang Vorachit on a bus crash in Laos on Monday that has killed 13 Chinese tourists.

Bounnhang said he was deeply saddened to hear about the serious bus crash, promising all-out efforts to provide medical treatment to the injured and deal with the aftermath in close coordination with the Chinese side.

Xi said the swift rescue by the Lao side has demonstrated its responsible attitude in handling the accident and the importance the country attaches to bilateral ties, urging the two sides to continue close coordination in treating the injured and dealing with the aftermath of the accident.